The Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) is launching four new variants of its Ready-to-Drink (RTD) native chocolate product line
Developed by the Institute’s Food Processing Division (FPD), these
shelf-stable drinks will be introduced during a product press launch on 22 February 2024 in Bicutan, Taguig City.
The four variants are developed from the Philippine tablea (pronounced as tableya) or tablea de batirol, sikwate or tablea-eh, a native Filipino tsokolate drink traditionally prepared in a pot over medium fire and stirred using a batirol to produce a frothy drink. (A batirol is a wooden tool used to mix the drink before serving to prevent bits of tablea from sinking to the bottom of the pot.)
These are made from three basic ingredients: pure, finely ground cacao beans that is molded into a ball called tablea, water, and sugar. The use of pure tablea gives the drink a rich, dark, and bitter chocolate flavor.
The following are the different variants formulated to address specific consumer needs:
1. RTD Dairy-Based Tablea – a chocolate drink for people who wants to enjoy the full benefits of whole milk;
2. RTD Lactose-Free Tablea – formulated for lactose intolerant people;
3. RTD Vegan Tablea – provides the consumers the relaxation of drinking a chocolate beverage using plant-based milk; and
4. RTD Vegan/Sugar-free Tablea – ideal for sugar-sensitive (diabetic) consumers and people who are restricting their carbohydrate intake. (FPD-ITDI\\ ITDI S&T Media Service)
