by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 22, 2021 | Food & Beverage
For the second consecutive summer, Filipinos are spending their time indoors at home due to the pandemic. Many of us have found creative ways to have fun and beat the summer heat, such as setting up inflatable pools, enjoying time with family in air-conditioned rooms while watching Netflix, and sipping refreshing ice-cold beverages.
One of the best ways to quench our thirst during this scorching season is with a delicious cup of milk tea. After two summers in lockdown, we have definitely ordered our favorite milk tea from our usual shops. However, it’s time to switch things up and try Tea Talk: the next must-visit milk tea shop!
Tea Talk features special milk tea concoctions made from authentic ingredients, making it one of the up-and-coming local milk tea shops worth checking out. Avoid going stir-crazy during the quarantine and create memorable bonding moments with your family while enjoying Tea Talk’s refreshing summer coolers.
Tea Talk Boba Brown Sugar Milk
If you’re in search of a delicious dessert-like beverage, try Tea Talk’s Brown Sugar Boba Milk.
Made with fresh milk and brown sugar syrup, this drink offers a sweet caramel flavor, a hint of arnibal, and a delightfully silky texture.
Are you looking for a refreshing and healthy drink that will satisfy your taste buds? Try Tea Talk’s Matcha Milk.
Made with fresh milk, natural sweeteners, and matcha flavor, one sip of this drink will have you hooked.
If you’re undecided or don’t have a specific flavor in mind, you can’t go wrong with a cup of signature Tea Talk Milk Tea.
Made with rich and creamy fresh milk and topped with tapioca pearls. This drink offers a simple yet delicious taste that you can enjoy.
Are you ready to try something new and unique? Tea Talk’s Oolong Milk Tea presents a light and flavorful experience with a nutty aftertaste.
This delightful drink combines classic iced oolong tea with rich, creamy fresh milk, all topped off with chewy tapioca pearls.
Tea Talk Taro Bubble Milk
For milk tea enthusiasts who enjoy a blend of sweet and nutty flavors, Tea Talk’s Taro Bubble Milk is the perfect choice.
This drink is made with natural tea, creamy fresh milk, and a delightful sweet taro flavor, providing you with the energy and fiber boost you need.
For a classic, vanilla-like beverage, Tea Talk’s Thai Milk Tea is a must-try drink.
Made with natural Thai tea flavor and milk, you will enjoy its silky texture and deliciously sweet, creamy taste.
Tea Talk Passion Fruit Special
If you’re looking for a refreshing drink with tropical flavors, Tea Talk’s Passion Fruit Special is the perfect choice.
This beverage is a sparkling iced tea infused with passion fruit, offering delightful natural health benefits. It delivers a sweet taste with a hint of tanginess.
Tea Talk Sakura Red Velvet
If you have a sweet tooth, Tea Talk’s Sakura Red Velvet will give you a creamy velvety cheesecake goodness.
Perfectly crafted Japanese-inspired milk tea, this drink is infused with real cherry extracts and mixed with creamy red velvet cheesecake and blushing pink tapioca pearls.
Tea Talk Wintermelon Fruit Tea
If you’re looking for a refreshing yet calming beverage, consider Tea Talk’s Wintermelon Fruit Tea.
This iced drink blends natural lemon juice with delightful wintermelon tea flavors, providing the perfect balance of sweetness and fruity taste.
What are you waiting for? Enjoy a delightful Tea and Talk experience this summer with your family and quench your thirst with Tea Talk. Find the nearest branch in your area: https://www.teatalk.ph/our-stores/
Tea Talk is the first homegrown milk tea brand in Morong, Rizal. Launched in 2019, Tea Talk offers authentic milk tea and beverages made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. With its uniquely flavored milk tea and a selection of complimentary appetizers and snacks, Tea Talk aims to provide customers with a delightful “Happy Tea and Happy Talk” experience.
For more information, please visit Tea Talk’s official website at teatalk.ph.
You can also like and follow Tea Talk on social media: facebook.com/teatalkmain on Facebook, instagram.com/teatalk.official on Instagram, and tiktok.com/@teatalk.main on TikTok.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 11, 2021 | Food & Beverage
Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the fasting period of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast this May 12, 2021. It is celebrated through prayer, gifts, and lavish feast. While the country is predominantly Catholic, Islam is the second-largest religion in the country. No wonder, Filipinos have become fond of Halal foods.
Halal food is prepared following a set of Islamic dietary laws and regulations that determine what is permissible, lawful, and clean. Any dish can be halal, as long as the meat used is religiously slaughtered and no pork or alcohol is involved.
The Manila Hotel’s Café Ilang-Ilang has a Halal kitchen certified by the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board. This kitchen dedicated to Halal food preparation serves Indian and Middle Eastern-inspired halal dishes that will whet your appetite and pay homage to its traditional roots.
Designed for proper breaking of the fast, The Manila Hotel’s Ramadan Special Halal Home Buffet set comes with dried dates and juice, chickpeas hummus, Fatoush mixed salad, roti and naan bread, vegetable biryani, tandoori chicken, lamb rogan josh, vegetable samosa, and baklava. The set is just one of the three choices for the Halal Certified Home Buffet.
“Our Lamb Rogan Josh is a must-try. It’s imported from Australia and it has the spices and sharpness that will surely be enjoyed by everyone. We can also customize the food according to our customer’s requests. Say you don’t like chili, we can make it milder. We can tweak a dish to please your palate while still being true to its authentic taste,” says Chef Kiran Singh, the hotel’s Halal-trained chef.
Celebrate Eid Al Fitr by ordering any of The Manila Hotel’s Halal Home Buffet sets or dishes, available for Takeout and delivery. Visit https://www.manila-hotel.com.ph/takeout/ for the full menu, or call 8527-0011 or 0998-9501912.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 1, 2021 | Food & Beverage
Coffee has received a bad reputation for many decades. Aside from allegedly triggering high blood pressure, insomnia, and hyperacidity, the Filipino habit of adding lots of sugar and cream to one’s cup has been said to aggravate diabetes.
While there is no denying the Pinoy coffee fan his morning cup, there is concern over the amount of sugar present in commercial 3-in-1 coffee mixes. The leading brand has 14.6 grams of sugar in one 20-gram sachet alone. Imagine how much sugar you’re taking in if you drink an average of three cups of coffee a day.
What About Sugar-Free Coffee?
For health-conscious individuals, especially diabetics, turning to sugar-free coffee mixes seems to be the only option. This meant enduring tasteless cups of coffee just to satisfy their caffeine fix — until Stevia came along.
Stevia is a low-calorie, zero-sugar sweetener that tastes so much better than artificial sweeteners. Stevia is an herb with a sweet-tasting extract that comes from the leaves of the “Stevia rebaudiana” plant. It has been enjoyed since pre-Columbian South America where indigenous people used the herb to sweeten their tea and other drinks.
The plant’s taste stems from steviol glycosides, molecules that are 250–300 times sweeter than regular sugar. It is an alternative sweetener that can be used on other things besides beverages, but also in cooking and baking. It became popular among health-conscious individuals because stevia has a very low caloric content. This makes it perfect for dieters and people who are trying to lose weight. Moreover, Stevia makes coffee and tea taste so much better without adding any calories.
The Health Advantages of Stevia
Stevia plant [Shutterstock image]
Additionally, while other sugar substitutes like Aspartame have been linked with cancer, there’s no evidence linking stevia to cancer since it is a natural ingredient. This means you can add stevia to dishes and drinks without fear that you’re taking too much sugar, or that you’ll get sick a few years down the road.
For coffee lovers, it’s also good to note that locally-made Glorious Blend coffees and instant beverages have Stevia as its natural sweetener. The blend of natural and healthful ingredients makes the drink refreshing and safe and good for one’s overall health.
The Glorious Blend boasts a full line of healthy drinks, including a 7-in-1 healthy coffee mix. This special blend is made with proven medicinal ingredients like Malunggay, Mangosteen, Calcium, Gotu Kola, and sweetened with Sweet & Fit Stevia. What’s even better is that the Glorious Blend 7in1 Coffee is non-acidic and promotes regular bowel movement.
The Glorious line-up also includes the 3-in-1 coffee mix with Stevia, 7-in-1 choco mix, 4-in-1 coffee with Malunggay, 5-in-1 coffee mix with Brown Rice, and the MaxiTrim coffee.
All Glorious Blend beverages use Stevia which has no calories, no carbohydrates, and zero glycemic indexes. All of their instant drinks will keep you alert and energized throughout the day. In addition, Glorious Blend products are locally sourced and manufactured. Their company supports local farmers, stevia growers, and other agricultural communities.
So if you’ve been cutting back on drinking coffee because of health problems like diabetes or hyperacidity, Glorious Blend coffee mixes are here to help. You can enjoy all the aroma and flavor of freshly made coffee all day — without the guilt!
Now, you can drink coffee for better health! Glorious, isn’t it? For more information about Glorious Blend coffee mixes, check out https://www.facebook.com/gloriousblend.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 1, 2021 | Food & Beverage
Naked Salmon Sashimi Cake
Summer is here and in the middle of all the sweltering heat, Salmon HQ has the perfect summer food for you: their famous Salmon Sashimi Cake and Tuna Sashimi Cake. Not only is salmon good for the heart but salmon is also good for the body since it is considered a healthy food.
Salmon contains a specific type of unsaturated fat called omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids lower your risk of dying from heart disease, according to Mayo Clinic. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon help keep your heart healthy by protecting the health of your blood vessels.
Tuna, on the other hand, is a lean source of protein. Tuna also contains iron, potassium, and B vitamins. It is also an excellent source of selenium, a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and may reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions
Sashimi contains lots of omega-3 fatty acids which is good for both the brain and health. The fatty acids help in lowering the cholesterol in the bloodstream which is always a good thing. These fatty acids also help in promoting good eyesight while the omega-3 fatty acids help stimulate the brain so it can work properly.
Salmon HQ Sushi Overload
These three combined make Salmon HQ the perfect go-to place for your summer eats. You get to eat something delicious and healthy for both your brain and your body. If that isn’t a win-win, we don’t know what is.
Healthy Sushi Bake with Cauliflower Rice
Salmon HQ also offers the best sushi bake this side of the Metro. What sets them apart from the rest is that you can still indulge in their sushi bake because they can easily replace the rice, they use with cauliflower rice for those who are mindful of their weight or are trying to lose weight for a small price increase.
Recognized by Our Awesome Planet, we know that their different sushi bake is definitely food for the Gods. If you are feeling adventurous, try out their Aburi Baked Scallop Baked Sushi or their Takoyaki Baked Sushi. Trust us, you won’t regret it because it will be the experience of a lifetime.
To order, message them on their Facebook Page.
Salmon is also the perfect food to have during lent so make sure to order yours soon.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 23, 2021 | Food & Beverage
It’s a generally accepted notion that eating healthy means skipping great-tasting food. Not anymore. Now it’s completely possible to enjoy the best of both worlds as Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF), one of the largest branded food companies in the Philippines, unveils its newest brand: unMEAT, a 100% plant-based meat, made tasty from simple ingredients.
“One of the biggest concerns about plant-based foods is that they are not delicious or as pleasing to the palate as real meat,” notes Nikki Dizon, a Senior Executive at CNPF. “But our Nutrition Science team took that as a challenge, and completely delivered by coming up with a meat alternative that unbelievably and undeniably looks, feels, and tastes like meat. Moreover, they made unMEAT using simple ingredients and extracted the nutrients from real food rather than synthetic compounds so it’s healthier and more affordable.”
It’s not meat, it’s UnMEAT
The launch of unMEAT was driven by growing consumer demand to incorporate healthier food options into their diet, especially given the ongoing pandemic. This is evident in the shift of food trends on social media. Whereas in the past, food aficionados across the globe constantly debated on the best burgers, social media is now filled with discussions on which plant-based burger looks, tastes, smells, and even bleeds like real meat.
With unMEAT, the taste is never compromised! It is as delicious as a regular meat patty, with a similar mouth-feel, making it the best meat alternative for those who are planning to make the switch to a healthier, more sustainable diet. Even better, unMEAT is packed with simple but nutritious ingredients. It is a good source of fiber and protein. It’s also cholesterol-free, trans-fat-free, egg-free, and dairy-free.
It comes in four variants: Nuggets, Hungarian Sausages, Minced Meat and Burger Patty. CNPF aims to market the range as close to the price of real meat counterparts in keeping with its goal of providing affordable nutrition.
Even the experts like it
Chef Sau del Rosario
During the launch, Michelin star chef Sau del Rosario who was among the first to sample unMEAT described it as “the taste is like you got it from the oven. It’s tasty, it’s clean, and it’s very delicious. I would put this in my menu!”
Partnerships
In the Philippines, unMEAT was first introduced through Shakey’s Pizza’s newest offering, the Goood Burger. It has since attracted a small cult following in the few weeks it has top-billed Shakey’s Pizza chain’s foray to burgers.
Now, as the plant-based food mania continues to sweep the world over, Century Pacific Food Inc. is giving consumers easy access to healthy and tasty 100% plant-based food options as unMEAT is now available via online shopping platforms, and increasingly in supermarkets and specialty stores nationwide.
Following unMEAT’s successful initial rollout as Shakey’s Goood Burger, CNFP will also be partnering with more restaurants in the country. Additionally, the company’s Global Brands Team has started offering the product to customers across a network of 80 countries such as the USA, Singapore, China, and the Middle East giving consumers in many parts of the world easy access to tasty, healthy, and affordable 100% plant-based meat alternative.
“This newest addition to our product portfolio further strengthens our company’s mission to provide affordable nutrition for all. UnMEAT is both very affordable and delicious!” added Dizon.
Now it’s possible to be healthy while enjoying what you eat with the 100% plant-based unMEAT.
To know more, follow on:
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 24, 2021 | Food & Beverage
The concept of ready to eat meals is not new to us, another name for it is “frozen dinners”. The difference, I suppose is that while most frozen dinners as we see them in foreign movies are full meals made for one person alone, Purefoods Ready to Eat meals are made for families.
But this is also a reflection of how Filipinos enjoy sharing meals with family or friends. I know of very few Filipinos who cook full meals for just one person. We always tend to cook so much that we are eating the same thing for an additional meal or two. 😀
Purefoods Ready to Eat variants
Purefoods Ready to Eat variants
At present, there are a total of nine (9) variants … each one a standard Filipino dish and (as the packaging says) it has already been slow-cooked to give us, the consumers, the softest, juiciest, most delicious viands in minutes what would usually take us so much time to prepare … because “love takes time”.
I was able to get every variant (except the beef caldereta which I just photoshopped in the picture above to complete the set) and I will try to cook and review each one every day. In our house, there are quite a few people so I have to really think about what I will cook every day and how to stretch it, given how expensive meat and vegetables are.
Also, I am quite handy in the kitchen so I will quite likely do more than just put these babies in the pan, heat, and serve. 🙂 Watch out for what I cook up in the coming days.
Purefoods Ready to Eat viands are available at http://themall.sanmiguelfoods.com and at some supermarkets and groceries. Prices vary depending on the viand you purchase.
The launch of unMEAT was driven by growing consumer demand to incorporate healthier food options into their diet, especially given the ongoing pandemic. This is evident in the shift of food trends on social media. Whereas in the past, food aficionados across the globe constantly debated on the best burgers, social media is now filled with discussions on which plant-based burger looks, tastes, smells, and even bleeds like real meat.
In the Philippines, unMEAT was first introduced through Shakey’s Pizza’s newest offering, 
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