Tomato and mango juice, anyone?
 
Who would ever think that these fruits could create a unique and perfect blend for a refreshing alternative to carbonated drinks?
 
At Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the university’s team of Food Products and Innovation Center (FPIC) has produced “ToMango” juice as their latest food product innovation and has been a qualifier for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Innovation Award 2022.
 
This award is given to products in food science and technology that demonstrate innovativeness and attractiveness in the market.
 
“Our innovation paves for a new way to enjoy tomato and mango while we help increase farm productivity through value-adding,” said Dr. Chita Sanculi, head of FPIC.
 
Moreover, this food innovation could give opportunities for local tomato and mango growers in adding value to their production.
 
According to Christine Quiapo, the juice is open for technology commercialization given its great potential as a beverage and in business.
 
The ToMango Juice was presented during the InnovEATS-Food Ideas and Creations at the UP Town Center-Ayala Malls on June 24-25.
 
Aside from ToMango Juice, the MMSU has also presented three other food products namely tomato-mango ketchup, mango-kamangeg, and mango-choco powder mix.
 
Promising as it looks, the ToMango Juice will surely quench the thirst because of its surprisingly rich flavor of mango and tomato.
 
Indeed, there are unique creations made out of the innovativeness of Ilokanos.
 
Innovativeness that is sustainable, marketable, and beneficial to farmers. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB, PIA Ilocos Norte)