Emerging food exports of the Philippines

Pineapple, coconut, mango, and tuna may be the country’s top food exports, but hot on their tails are a crop of emerging food exports, aptly called the “rising stars.” These are products and commodities that are slowly but surely getting recognized, used and loved in kitchens all over the world, as proven by a growing demand in consumer markets. 

The Rising Stars

Heirloom Rice

• These are rice varieties that have been passed through generations of indigenous farmers since ancestral times.
• They are traditionally grown for social, cultural, and spiritual purposes.

Turmeric

• Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties among other health benefits, this crop has become in demand worldwide.
• It is turned into a beverage booster and also included in many savoury dishes.

Calamansi

• This small, round, and green fruit is also known as calamondin. Its tree is native to the Philippines.
• The flavour is distinctly sour and has been relied on for both sweet and savoury dishes.

Malunggay

• Also known as moringa, it is a widely used vegetable ingredient in cooking.
• Because of its many vitamins and nutrients like calcium, magnesium, protein, and potassium, it has been considered a superfood.

Ube

• This tuber is beloved the world over for its beautiful lilac color.
• The purple yam is a staple crop in the Philippines. It has become a trendy flavour in many desserts.

Rice Cake

• Rice cake, which is a common snack in the Philippines, comes in many varieties.
• Among the more popular ones are suman and biko, both of which are made with glutinous rice, and palitaw and bibingka, which are made with glutinous rice flour.

Pili Nut

• This rich and buttery nut comes from trees typically found deep within a rainforest.
• It is prized for its nutrients such as magnesium and potassium.

Muscovado Sugar

• It is what you get when you evaporate the liquid from cane juice without removing the molasses.
• It is an unrefined kind of sugar that is dark brown in colour.

Kamias

• It has different names—iba, kalamias, pias or kiling-iba. 
• Used in stews and soups, it is an elongated greenish-yellow fruit that has an inherent sourness. 

Dalandan

• Also called narangha or kahel, the dalandan is a citrus fruit, usually described to be a cross between pomelo and Mandarin orange.
• It is rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids that have antioxidants and immune boosting activities.