SSI Group Inc. president Anton Huang, Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Spanish Ambassador Luis Antonio Calvo at the opening of “Philippine Harvest Meets Sabores De Espana”

The finest of Spanish classics such as jamón Ibérico, chorizo, Rioja and Tempranillo wines, alongside our very own homegrown adlai, coco sugar, kesong puti, Zabana and so much more, are being sold in a three-day food fair ongoing until today.

“Philippine Harvest Meets Sabores de España,” the 7th Philippine Harvest at the atrium lobby of Central Square, Bonifacio High Street Central, The Fort, Taguig, is a gastronomic festival featuring the best of Spain and the Philippines.

The Embassy of Spain in Manila assembled 15 exhibitors to highlight the best of Spain, while the Department of Agriculture brought together 25 exhibitors representing the diversity of the country’s produce—organic, artisanal, natural, and indigenous.

“We are providing the best curated lifestyle experiences… This is another opportunity to appreciate the finest flavors and ingredients from the Philippines and Spain, as well as recognize the men and women behind them,” SSI Group Inc. president Anton Huang said. “We offer an exciting gastronomic experience with an explosion of flavors from the Philippines and Spain.”

Sustainable sources

Among the exhibitors are Auro Chocolate, the Filipino bean-to-bar chocolate company that sustainably sources cocoa beans from local farmers in Davao; Maeloc, a Galician cider made from 100 percent organic apples from 1,000 farmers producing Raxó, Principe, Peró, Rabiosa y Verdeña apples; Zabana, the trademark of Emperador Distillers Inc.; Hida Boloñesa de Chorizo, the chorizo sauce made of fried tomato over low heat with extra chorizo and paprika from La Vera; Oh So Healthy, the nutritious line of snacks and treats made from 100 percent real fruits; and Coco Natura, the low-glycemic, minimally refined natural sweetener made from the sap of the coconut tree flower blossom.

There’s Bodegas Altanza, offering one of the best Tempranillo wines with grapes grown in Fuenmayor, the heart of the Rioja region; Bodega Lanzaga, offering Rioja wines with complex flavor and extraordinary depth from vineyards above 500 meters; Ormocana Ginger and Turmeric, the all-organic produce from farmers in Ormoc; Badboy Tikboy, whose award-winning hot sauces in small bottles use local chilis; Pay Pay Seafood, the best of Galicia packed in olive oil; and even Byba, one of Europe’s leading brands in child health and nutrition.

Karla Delgado (far left) with farmers at Kai Farms booth –Photo by Earvin Perias

There are also fresh fruits and organic vegetables, organic heirloom rice, coffee, artisanal chocolates and rice meals from selected vendors.

The “Philippine Harvest Meets Sabores de España” is a collaboration between the DA and SSI Group Inc., with the Embassy of Spain in Manila. The Philippine Harvest is part of DA’s regular marketing activities promoting locally grown farm and fishery products in the domestic market.

“This celebrates the good food and the people who produce them—our farmers,” Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.