CACAO beans have long been a staple crop in many countries, but recently, they have taken on a new role as a source of inspiration for entrepreneurs and Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) looking to make their mark in the food industry.
Seabeth Food Processing, a family-owned MSME based in Cagayan de Oro, is known for its artisanal chocolate bars made from locally sourced cacao beans under the brand "Mang Kiko's" Tablea.
The company was founded by Dra. Sandy Sia, a dentist who pursued her passion for food and entrepreneurship.
The idea to process and make cacao products came from Dra. Sandy’s need to release stress from her profession and her late father’s love for making cacao every morning for his wife, Francisco Tankiko’s passion inspired her to pursue this venture.
"When I started this business, I wanted to create something that was not only delicious but also had a positive impact on the community and the environment," Dra. Sandy explains.
"Cacao beans were a natural choice because they're a sustainable crop that can be grown by smallholder farmers," she said.
By processing cacao beans into Tablea, small traditionally home-made tablets of pure ground roasted cacao beans, businesses are not only tapping into a growing market, but they are also creating jobs and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Seabeth Food Processing, located at 105 Hayes Street, is the manufacturer behind the brand name "Mang Kiko's Cacao into Tablea." The process involves drying ripe cacao beans for three to six days without adding any sugar or sweeteners, resulting in bars and other products.
With the increasing interest in locally sourced and artisanal food products, the demand for tablea has significantly grown. This unique ingredient has become popular in various recipes, including hot chocolate and baked goods.
Entrepreneurs and MSMEs are taking advantage of this trend by putting their unique twists on traditional tablea.
Apart from catering to the demand for this product, companies like Seabeth Food Processing are also supporting sustainable agriculture.
Dra. Sandy explains that sources her cacao beans from local farmers paying them a fair price for their crops.
She then processes the beans using traditional methods, carefully roasting and grinding them to bring out their unique flavor profiles.
The resulting chocolate bars are sold under Mang Kiko’s brand and are available in a variety of products, including tablea ice cream and brandy cocktail.
By working with local farmers to source their cacao beans, they are helping to promote environmentally friendly farming practices and supporting the local economy.
As more entrepreneurs and MSMEs enter the market, the future looks bright for the cacao industry.
With a growing demand for sustainable and locally sourced food products, Tablea is poised to become a staple ingredient in kitchens around the world.
And with businesses like Seabeth Food Processing leading the way, the future of both the cacao industry and sustainable agriculture looks promising.
Each of the finest cacao beans is delicately handpicked and roasted to its optimal temperature before being cracked and winnowed, said Dra. Sandy.
She said that these beans are then conched and tempered to perfection until they begin to crystalize and are ready to be in tablet form. As such, it produces a smooth and creamy texture as it flows through your taste buds.
"My husband (Dr. Benjamin Sia) and I welcomed the thought of developing this idea from a simple hobby into a long-term investment for our retirement In the latter half of 2017," she said.
In the second quarter of 2018, according to her a close friend of hers and herself signed up for the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) program for Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
During the process, she said they were both also invited by One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines to one of their seminars including the help of the science and technology department and the city's Oro Chamber of Commerce,as they started to grow in their craftsmanship, including the Department of Science and Technology.
"We were provided with excellent and skillful mentors who journeyed with us as our product blossomed to what it is today, she said.
With the full support of the industries, we are truly grateful for being radically equipped and able to further develop our system and expand our product's capacities exponentially.
"We desire that people from all walks of life would be able to experience the aroma and taste of cacao beans in their purest form (puro) - that is made with passion and purpose," Dr. Sandy Sia shared.
Today, Seabeth Food Processing together with other northern Mindanao's top MSMEs is currently exhibiting its mouth-watering flavors at the largest international food trade show in the Philippines.
With the theme, “Sharing the Love of Filipino Flavors," the event, held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, began on May 26 and will end today, May 28.
Meanwhile, Industry development specialist Loraine C. Brilliantes said that 19 MSMEs from Region 10 participated in IFEX, where they had the opportunity to showcase their products to a global audience.
Of the total participating enterprises 6 are from CDO, 5 from Misamis Oriental, 4 from Misamis Occidental, 2 from Bukidnon, and 1 each from Camiguin and Lanao del Norte that have joined with more than 500 exhibitors in the three-day event organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) export promotions arm.
According to Brillantes, the booths in the fair require payment, and the expenses were divided equally between Mayor Rolando Uy and Gov. Pedro Unabia for the city and Misamis Oriental participants.
On the other hand, regional participants from other provinces have their respective provincial offices to handle their expenses.
Brillantes said that DTI Misamis Oriental provided airfare and accommodation for the participants.
“The IFEX is the event that we are currently supporting in coordination with CITEM, the export arm of the Philippines, which also organizes the trade fair,” said Brillantes.
We invited these MSMEs to join in this event, and we sought support from partners such as the City Government and the Misamis Oriental Provincial Government, according to Brillantes.
The 3-day event at the World Trade Center will feature a wide range of food products from the participating MSMEs including the tablea from Dra Sandy's Mang Kiko's cacao brand.
Other MSMEs include Bestfriend Goodies, Shiga (Fire Star Dream Concoctions), De Oro's Best (Padla's Homemade Products), Marca Leon (Limketkai Manufacturing Corp.), Bite Me Up (Bite Me Up Food Corporation), Blooming Forest Workers MPC, Elot Beacon Concordia Corporation, Trunk to Gold, Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy (Highland Fresh), and Axelum Resources Corp.
The event according to the DTI is expected to draw food industry players, including importers, exporters, and buyers, from all over the world.
It is an excellent opportunity for the MSMEs to showcase their products, network with other industry players, and explore potential markets for their businesses, said Brillantes.
“With their unique and flavorful food products, the MSMEs from region -10 are sure to make a mark at the IFEX Philippines 2023,” she said.
The DTI Regional Office has been assisting the MSMEs through the conduct of training as well as providing livelihood kits and facilities that could help improve and expand their businesses.
Likewise, the DTI has been conducting and participating in various trade fairs to help MSMEs generate sales and provide income and employment.
In trade fairs, like IFEX, our MSMEs will be allowed to launch their products, discover new markets, and transact with big buyers, Brillantes added.
