Flavours of the Philippines

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(Daddy blogs)

Mention food products from the Philippines and what comes to mind? Bananas, Mangoes, Pineapples, Coconuts? Definitely, but those just represent a fraction of some amazing food exports from the Philippines... as I found out during my time at the Food Philippines booth at the Food&HotelAsia 2014 Trade Show.

Billed as Asia's largest food and hospitality trade show, Food&HotelAsia 2014 showcases the finest and most unique food ingredients and products, food service equipment and hospitality solutions. And I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) under the Philippine Embassy in Singapore to tour its booth.

You know, ever since our family visited Cebu in the Philippines back in 2011, we have been missing its pristine beaches... and of course the food there! If you ask the wifey, our Cebu vacation still ranks as of the top 3 holiday experiences that we have had with our monkies so far. To be honest, I find it puzzling that families hardly consider Cebu when it comes to planning for their vacations. Because contrary to belief, it is actually a child-friendly destination, as my tips on travelling to Cebu with kids will prove.

But I digress.

A huge portion of Food&HotelAsia 2014 expo is dedicated to what else, food of course and I had the pleasure of trying sampling some of unique tastes and flavours from the Philippines.

Make that seventeen actually, because that was precisely the number of exhibitors that showcased their major sea and farm produce, and food prepared with traditional ingredients, techniques and methods that have been passed on from one generation to another. And these included fresh bananas, pineapples, mangoes, processed fruits and vegetables, coconut products, condiments/sauces/mixes, snack foods, noodles, canned and processed seafoods and cocoa products.

Delicious Koffee Klatch biscuits, which would complement coffee really well!

Cream Crackers with coconut cream filling, and oh-so-chewy Mango & Tamarind soft candy

Goldilocks Choco-covered Polvoron, a kind of crumbly shortbread

Tropical Fruit Salad Ice Cream from Dani's. It tasted better than it sounds, really!

This oyster sauce from Mama Sita's is da bomb! The oyster flavour really trumps our local ones.

Lots of flavourful jams from The Fruit Garden. Mango Durian or Calamansi Brandy, anyone?

And I washed all that down with a cup of refreshing PURE coconut water from LIPA

Having tasted all the distinct flavours that Food Philippines had to offer, it made it extremely difficult for me not to miss my holiday to Cebu even more.

I will just have to keep my eyes peeled to spot these products along the aisles the next time I am off to the supermarket. Either that, or a visit to the Philippines perhaps?