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| Employees of Timplado Coffee Shop in Lipa City, Batangas have undergone training on food safety practices faciliated last January by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Region IV-A's Food Safety Team. (Image Source: Good News Pilipinas/Facebook/Timplado) |
The taste of Batangueño-style barako coffee being offered in one particular coffee shop in Lipa City has been made better nowadays and it is all possible through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Timplado, an offshoot food and beverage company of Circa 1940 that focuses on creating rich and full-bodied coffee blends, underwent a two-day training on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) which aims to further strengthen not only its Barako (Liberica) coffee blends but also its food safety measures in preparation for the opening of additional markets.
Thirteen employees, most of them newly hired, have attended the training on food safety standards on different production processes conducted last January 25-26, 2021 inside the Timplado Coffee Shop situated in Barangay Mataas Na Lupa, Lipa City, Batangas. The said training was facilitated by DOST-Region IV-A (CALABARZON)'s Food Safety Team members composed of Mhark Ellgine Libao, John Michael Florendo and John Micao Hernandez which are both from the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) Batangas. The training exercise covered various topics on basic food hygiene, food hazards, cross-contamination, personal hygiene, food contact surfaces, pest control, cleaning and sanitation and documentation complemented with activities on handwashing, food hazards and cross-contamination slated to simulate situations during preparations that can affect food safety.
Although food safety measures are already in place, Timplado's Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Manto recognized the impact that the training has provided in improving the knowledge and practices of its employees. For Manto, the training was a boost to the standard practices they have been following to improve the quality of its products and ensure the customers' safety. On the other hand, Timplado's Chief Operating Officer Ariestelo Asilo shared that the training was regarded to be a springboard in their application for a license from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He also hoped that the approval of the DOST's SETUP project proposal would further support their GMP implementation and upgrade their processes.
What makes Timplado's products unique on their own is the variety of interesting variants named after famous Batangueña heroes such as Marcela, Gabriella, Teresa, Josefa, Melchora and Gliceria. These names complement the unique flavors of strong barako blends including barako blend with white chocolate and milk, barako blend with coco sugar and barako blend with chili powder and coco sugar. Furthermore, their branding structure also mirrors how the company empowers and provides livelihood to stay-at-home mothers through product packaging. Aside from the iconic characterization of their coffee blends, Timplado operates to promote inclusivity by partnering with coffee farmers, communities and markets with the shared commitment of revitalizing Batangas' barako coffee.
