An aroma of success for Banna rice coffee makers

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Banna, Ilocos Norte—Created with the perfect blend, the Banna-blend rice coffee produced by the Bagnos Multi-purpose Cooperative will now be a frequent display in leading groceries nationwide.

Backed by Umic International Inc., a trading company since 1999 and in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Banna Blend Rice Coffee produced by the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries has inspired Banna’s “One Town One Product” which is now ready to supply a bigger market.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Vic Ines said they feel happy and proud of the transformation of this agrarian community, now producing value-adding agricultural products such as rice coffee.

In 2008, the rice-coffee making business in Banna has to go through the traditional process of roasting rice through wood fire which wood took about four hours to roast five gantas of rice and ground through corn mill for two hours.

Later on, the technology was improved through various trainings and skills upgrading , courtesy of the of various government line agencies such as the DAR, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, National Food Authority, Department of Agriculture, Mariano Marcos State University, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Local Government Unity of Banna, among others.

Located at Brgy. Binacag, the aromatic and perfect blend of the healthy rice coffee of Banna gained popularity in the market, prompting local producers to expand their business to capture new and bigger market.

Made from specially chosen hybrid rice locally grown in the municipality of Banna, the rice coffee is roasted to golden brown, and then powdered to bring an instant healthy coffee in a cup.

To date, the Banna blend rice coffee comes in powder packed into bottle jars of 300 or 420 grams, sachets also come in 125, 250, 300 and 450 grams including in 3-in-1 packets.

Even during the olden times, Ilocano favorite’s rice coffee is considered as a good remedy for gas pain, ulcer and liver problems. Rice has fiber, Vitamin B, protein and carbohydrate.

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