Food Bev Asia

Chewing on sticky tapioca balls right after you try to sip them with a big straw is all part of the drinking experience. So I can’t imagine bubble tea without these starchy balls.  But ever since news broke out that tapioca balls might contain maleic acid, the wholesome image of the pastel-colored drinks, faded – just a little – for me.   Again, I feel like a consumer betrayed. This month, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration confirmed that certain local products, including tapioca balls, were found to contain maleic acid. Following this confirmation, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore began its own surveillance of imported products. Out of 66 products from Taiwan, it has found 11 contaminated with maleic acid. Needless to say, the news has affected several bubble tea retailers there, and I’m assuming, elsewhere, retailers should be checking their suppliers. For those who haven’t seen or tasted bubble tea – it is a drink that originated in Taiwan i

I had a chance to visit the International Food Exhibition Philippines ( IFEX ) on Sunday, and was pleased with the number of local companies that joined the show, which ran from 16 to 19 May at the SMX Convention Center in Manila. There were also several contingents from Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Brunei and other Asian countries, but not as many as I expected. I was told the Taiwan group cancelled their trip as a result of the political tension caused by an incident between the local Coast Guard and Taiwanese fishermen. While I did catch only the tail end of the four-day event, there were still a lot of visitors up until late afternoon. There were mostly local delicacies and snacks – banana chips, dried mango, peanut brittle, pork crackling, processed meat, seafood, noodles, as well as rice wine and teas. Fresh produce and a number of herbal medications in tablet and powder forms were on exhibit and for sale. I was able to speak briefly with a manufacturer of stevia prod

I count grapes as among my favorite health snacks, although sometimes they only go in between the junk food. Yes, I am not always a healthy eater, and if you are, then consider me a big fan. But if you’re starting to get a little thicker around the waist (real or imagined), then here’s a bit of good news – try grapes.                                                               Last month, I read about a study on how grapes could help reverse the effects of metabolic syndrome. The Mayo Clinic defines metabolic syndrome as “a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.” The study conducted by E. Mitchell Seymour, Ph.D. of the University of Michigan Health System, shows how a diet enriched with any variety of grapes can reduce fat that surrounds the heart, liver and abdominal area (mainly due to p

We can’t do without flavours. We’ve programmed our brains to enjoy the mouthful of sensations brought together by the senses. And even if the basic flavours are enough, our adventurous palates seek more complex forms, including a mix of many spices, extracts and seasonings. Is it any wonder why flavour is a competitive industry? Low sodium But have we gone too far with flavourings? Needless to say, the fondness for salt in particular has been the cause of many health conditions. Because sodium content in salt is high – 40 per cent – international health organisations and governments around the world have called for a cutback on consumption of dietary salt to just 5 grams of salt per day.   In response, food manufacturers in many countries are working to meet FDA requirements. Hence, demand for salt alternatives is on the rise. The latest innovation from Chr. Hansen is SaltLite TM , an alternative specifically for cheese-making. Yes, who doesn’t like their cheese a bit

I grew up in a house that had a library.   It’s interesting how childhood experiences and memories continue to shape our choices as we grow older. Looking back now I understand why as a student, the school library offered some bit of comfort like a home away from home. Or now as a grown-up, I feel like a kid at Christmas when I enter a bookstore. And I believe this is also the reason why I can’t get myself to invest in an e-book reader. I’ve read somewhere that the scent of printed paper and the action of turning a page come with the joy of reading a book. I quite agree, although sometimes a strong scent can also get in the way. Well, so does running out of power for an electronic gadget. Anyway, the reason I bring this up is that I purchased a book that I think I don’t need, because I have other references. In my attempt to rationalize my actions, I happily blame my childhood days.  I got myself a copy of the fourth edition of The New Food Lover’s Companion b