Meet More Chances

Nowadays, coffee shops cater to indulgent coffee lovers, from espresso
shot to frappe. Coffee mixes are as well available in sachets for
people on-the-go. Coffee drinking has now become habitual.

But have you ever heard of rice coffee? How about soybean coffee? They
are not just cheaper than coffee but it is a healthier alternative.
Rice is known to combat stomach disorders. The anticancer properties
of soybean is one of the reasons why some people believed that it is a
miracle food.

In Banna, Ilocos Norte, farmers had the initiative to start selling
rice coffee to generate extra income. Rice is one of the main crops in
the province and rice coffee has started during the early years of
World War I.

The farmers struggled in finding the right market. But through the
help of government agencies, a cooperative was created and rice coffee
was introduced in the local market.

Simple Method of Making Rice Coffee:

Hybrid rice grains are sorted out and roasted until golden brown. Then
it is powdered to enjoy an instant cup.

Half a teaspoon may be enough for a cup of hot water, just add
sweetener and cream, then you may enjoy the sweet aroma of rice
coffee.


Ilocos Norte grows legumes like mungbean, peanuts and soybean.  The
first entrepreneur who ventured in the production of rice coffee,
started business with soya and peanut products. There are varieties of
soya products aside from soybean coffee like milk, burger and steamed
cake(puto).

The business needed a better technology for efficient production and
improved packaging. They received assistance package funded by the
government agencies which included equipments like roaster and grinder
as well as stainless preparation table, basins and containers, heat
gun and display cabinet.


The government assistance has played a great role in the improvement
and marketing of the rice coffee industry. The new packaging which
included nutrition analysis and barcode has provided a better image
and appeal to customers.

Rice coffee and soybean coffee are now available in big establishments
and online markets. Remember that both are better alternative to
coffee because it contains no preservatives and is caffeine free.