Food Bev Asia

I’m not a fan of apples, but if I have to eat one, I bite right into the skin for all its health benefits. Unfortunately I have family members who don’t, and so for their sake, the apples get peeled. I used to throw away peels, or boil them to scent a room. But one day I made it a rule for everyone in my home to eat apples with skin on, not just because it’s healthier, but to reduce our food waste. On occasion this rule is violated of course, but if like me you find yourself with a lot of apple peels, you can still use them to make a simple tea. I haven’t tried it myself, but just thinking about a cool apple cinnamon drink makes me thirsty. Many websites show how we can turn apple peels into good stuff, like sweet jelly, a delicious meat rub, or a heavenly room freshener.   I wish I had an original one to share with you, but I like apples fresh with skin, remember? But please share one with our readers.   I believe that food waste reduction starts in our homes, and as

The latest issue of FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal is out! One of the companies featured in the magazine is organic retailer, justlife. Based in Malaysia, justlife promotes environmental awareness and the eco-friendly lifestyle: choosing right, from the things we use to the food we eat. The company's director, Rachel Tai, says that the retail business for organic products continues to expand in Malaysia because the locals are becoming health-conscious. And surprisingly, organic food products have become very popular even with the young. To learn more, read our interview with Ms Tai.

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