Batanes boosts ‘tubho’ industry

TO boost the production of the traditional

tubho tea of the Ivatans, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) has provided portable solar drying panels to a local processor in Sabtang town on the islandprovince of Batanes.

According to DoST, tubho, which is a local fern, is dried and used as a substitute for coffee. It is believed to have antioxidant properties.

Local Ivatans would usually explain to tourists that tubho tea is made from mature tubho fronds that have wilted and dried while still on the plant. These are preferred because they are less bitter, locals claim.

The Ivatans also believe tubho tea is the secret to their longevity and has medicinal benefits. While it is not cultivated, tubho tea is harvested from wild plants in Batanes in small quantities, particularly in the southernmost Sabtang islands. They are also sold to tourists, though some restaurants in other parts of the Philippines already serve it as part of their menus.

Tubho tea is traditionally sweetened with brown sugar, and like tea lovers, the Ivatans said the tea can also be consumed with cream, honey or lemon.

But to younger local tea connoisseurs, they like it best when tubho tea is served in modern versions, preferably iced. They describe the taste of the tea as slightly bitter and nutty.

In Sabtang town, Ivatan tea enthusiasts boil dried fronds in water until the water turns dark brown. They serve the tea hot after removing the leaves. They advise reusing the leaves as long as they still turn the water dark brown when boiled.

Sancho Mabborang, DoST Region 2 director, said it was in 2017 when the DoST introduced the powdered tubho packed in tea bags in the one-town, one-product or OTOP program of Sabtang municipality in collaboration with the Batanes provincial government and other line agencies.

Since then, an affiliate group of the Sabtang Food Processors Association called the Sabtang Tubho Processors continued to manufacture and market tubho tea as the primary product of the association.

Mabborang said the solar panels will be used for drying facilities of the association to improve the quality of their produce.

Meanwhile, online training on tubho processing was conducted to also develop other products from tubho.