organic Archives ⋆ Leia Khu

Grapes Picking at Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm in Miaoli, Taiwan

Posted on March 12, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

On my fourth day in Taiwan, we were off to pick grapes at Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm in Miaoli County.

Started around 1950′s, viticulture is relatively new in Taiwan. Vineyards are scattered around Taiwan but about one-third of the grape production comes from Miaoli County.

Just like the pears in Dong Rong Farm, the grapes are sealed with waxed bags to protect them from the elements.

Picking grapes is easy peasy. Just open the bag to check if the grapes are ready for harvest. Once they are, just snip the bunch off the vine.

The grape variety grown in Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm is known as Kyoho. It was first cultivated in Japan and was later on brought in Taiwan during the 1960′s.

Kyoho, literally meaning giant mountain grapes, was named after Mount Fuji because of its size.

It is a crossbreed of two grape species namely the American Ishiharawase (Vitis labrusca) and European Centennial (Vitis vinifera). The Taiwanese farmers retained its Japanese name in Chinese characters and pronounce it as Chufeng.

Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm has garnered awards for having the best grapes in Miaoli County for 3 consecutive years. These are hands down the best grapes I’ve had in my life! They have a thick, smooth, blackish-purple peel with a soft, sweet, succulent pulp.

These enormous grapes are known to have great health benefits.

They are rich in iron, vitamin C, thiamine, potassium, dietary fiber, resveratrol and many more. Consuming this fruit is good for the kidneys, heart, brain and overall digestion. They can be eaten as is or blended into a delicious, refreshing smoothie – no need to add sugar because grapes are already sweet!

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm
Pear picking at Dong Rong Farm

Dragon Fruit Picking in Taiwan

Posted on January 28, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

On the second day of my leisure farm tour, we traveled all the way to the fourth smallest county in Taiwan to visit Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm.

Just located alongside of Douyuan Road, Erlin Township in

Changhua County…

Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm is probably the smallest one in size among the organic farms that I’ve visited in Taiwan. With only about half a hectare to work with, it’s incredible how they managed to fully utilized every square foot of this land to produce different dragon fruit varieties.

Did you know that dragon fruit is actually a fruit of a climbing cactus plant that is native to Central America? Dragon fruit plants have fleshy stems which can grow up to 20 feet long. Since its discovery it has made its way to Asia and other parts of the world.

Harvesting them is very easy. Once they’re ripe and ready for harvest, they can be removed from the plant by cutting them off with the use of garden shears or by just simply twisting them off.

This beautiful exotic fruit got its name after its outer skin which resembles dragon scales.

Dragon fruit is a tropical superfood that is rich in phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. It is said to boost the immune system, lower blood glucose levels, prevent cancer and among others.

The flesh of the dragon fruit comes in a spectrum of colors that ranges from white, pink, bright magenta to dark purple.

Dragon fruit is quite bland actually but it does have a hint of sweetness.

Its texture is quite similar to that of a kiwi. I love the crunch that comes from the seeds and it is really good to eat when chilled.

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association for this fun and educational experience!

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

Rice Harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm

Posted on January 26, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

Fairy Story Village Organic Farm is a

certified organic farm-stay bed and breakfast

surrounded by pastoral landscape

in Yilan County.

Photo courtesy of http://nickhow.pixnet.net/

They offer a rejuvenating escape in a bucolic setting and is an ideal getaway spot for families, health conscious travelers and for all those who just want to experience a rural lifestyle.

Photo courtesy of

http://www.camemberu.com/

Fairy Story Village Organic Farm

is run and managed by the warm and hospitable owners, Wu Li Chu and her daughter Shandy. This mother-daughter pair grow rice, mulberry, roselle, various seasonal fruits and vegetables in their 5-hectare farm located

near Meihua Lake Scenic Area and is only a 10-minute drive from Luodung Night Market.

Photo courtesy of http://taiwan.zizaike.com/h/1600

Guests who want a taste of organic food can enjoy a farm-to-table dining experience at their restaurant which features a relaxing view of the garden.

Their specialties include handmade mulberry pasta and hot pot all made with fresh ingredients handpicked from the farm.

Photo courtesy of http://taiwan.zizaike.com/h/1600

They have 6 charming wooden cabins surrounded by trees that help you connect with nature and enjoy the fresh air at the shared courtyard.

Photo courtesy of Jude Bacalso

Accommodating up to 4 people, each cabin is fully air-conditioned, has WiFi access and comes with a 32-inch LCD TV, bath tub and small fridge.

The place is clean and cozy.

I am particularly in love with the loft bed! #iwokeuplikethis LOL

Photos courtesy of Jude Bacalso

They have fun D.I.Y. activities such as scallion pancake making, fish feeding and rice harvesting. But in order to appreciate and experience the beauty of harvest, we tried the traditional method of harvesting rice. Each of us was handed a conical hat for sun protection and a small scythe to cut the ripe rice.

I was immediately reminded of a traditional Filipino song entitled “Magtanim ay Di Biro" that describes the

difficulties of the life of a farmer. In case you want to listen to the English version, watch this video:

And just before we left Fairy Story Village Organic Farm each of us came home with a box of organic rice!

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort

Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

Where to Eat in Bohol – The Buzzz Cafe by Bohol Bee Farm

Posted on January 1, 2016January 21, 2019 by xerox

The Buzzz Cafe is a local organic cafe and restaurant chain in Bohol that promotes an alternative lifestyle through clean eating.

Using only the freshest ingredients from Bohol Bee Farm, The Buzzz Cafe offers a farm-to-table dining experience to meet the demands for healthy, sustainable cuisine in Bohol.

They also carry an array of locally produced delicacies and personal care products made from selected quality natural ingredients.

Here’s a not so aesthetically pleasing view of our haphazard table.

For starters, we were given an amuse-bouche platter of their homemade squash bread,

cab-cab with green tomatoes, and their best-selling spreads (honey and pesto – which by the way I cannot get enough of).

We ordered their signature organic garden salad – a bowl of mixed greens bathed in honey mustard dressing and garnished with handpicked edible flowers. It was quite enjoyable to eat. Obviously, I ordered this for the novelty of eating flowers like a hippie. That’s one less item off my food bucket list. 😉

Their humble fresh herb pasta is simple and light-tasting.

I love the kamote fries! They’re already great on their own. The dip is optional!

Make sure to give their unconventional homemade ice cream selection a go. They’re exceptionally good!

Treat yourself good food without the guilt at The Buzzz Cafe by Bohol Bee Farm. It is perfect for diners who are making conscious efforts to eat local, sustainable, organic food that satisfies the palate. They have branches located in Island City Mall, Alona Beach, and Galleria Luisa.

TIP:
If you want to get more out of your money, eat in the Island City Mall branch. The serving portions there are more generous.

Read about my Bohol Travel Guide here

Circa 1850 Eatery

Posted on January 10, 2015January 22, 2019 by Leia Bartolome

Those who know me well enough know that it has been quite awhile since I’ve been consciously trying to eat healthier. But to be honest, wholesome eating is very hard to commit to especially from where I’m at. Not only are there very limited whole food choices here, there isn’t really any awareness of the environmental, economic and public health issues of today’s industrial food system.

When I heard about Circa 1850 Eatery, a restaurant that promotes sustainable local produce and fair trade lifestyle, my heart fluttered and I knew I had to give them a go.

Only a few blocks away from Ayala Centrio Mall, they are located at the ground floor of Tune Hotel, CM Recto, Cagayan de Oro City.

While I could go on about how lovely the interiors are (I have a soft spot for rustic industrial designs), Circa 1850 Eatery is more than just another picturesque restaurant.

They serve only the freshest, organic farm-to-table ingredients that are mainly sourced from local farmers.

I love how they chose to have an open-kitchen so curious diners, like myself, can have a look at how their dishes are put together.

Uni and Shrimp Pasta

This is one of their best sellers. If you’re a seafood pasta lover like I am, you’re going to like this one! For those who don’t know what “uni” is, it’s just Japanese for “sea urchin”.

Medium-rare Sirloin Steak Frites

Served in a cast iron skillet, the steak came with an assortment of veggies, a cup of rice and probably the best gravy ever.

Please take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is the steak. It was juicy and satisfying. I have to admit though, it was a little bit tough. But to be fair, sirloin is less tender in general compared to other cuts.

Roasted Bone Marrow

This is another one of their best sellers and I totally understand why. It was so incredibly rich and delicious my eyes nearly popped out. This sinful strip of fat should come with a warning label.

Here at Circa 1850 Eatery, you definitely get what you pay for: Quality food, great service. Can’t wait to go back there and try more of their food!

I call on each and every one of you to patronize them because when you dine there, you are supporting local farmers, reducing environmental impact, strengthening the economic base of the community and, most importantly, spreading awareness of wholesome eating and slow food movement. I guarantee you’ll walk out of their restaurant with a full stomach and a happy heart.

Open hours: 7:00am – 2:00pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Price Range: 300~500 PHP

24 & 2 Part 2: Human Heart Nature

Posted on May 30, 2013October 7, 2018 by xerox

Just a block or two away from Little Miss Funnel Cake, we spotted a Human Heart Nature branch and we just had to walk right in.

Human Heart Nature is a chain of stores in the Philippines that sell natural and organic world-class goods at very affordable prices.

Their products are ethically-acquired and are not processed with any synthetic chemicals.

From personal care to pet care, they got your basic and furry needs covered.

What I love about this company is that they source their raw materials and manufacture their products here in the Philippines. So if you buy their products, you are not only helping the local economy but you are supporting the local farmers as well.

Another thing that I love about Human Heart Nature is their eco-consciousness. They ensure that their products don’t become toxic once released to the environment and they have a recycling program where 100% of the proceeds go to Gawad Kalinga.

Oh, hi there!

Spotted! My boyfriend slobbering over bars of chocolate…

My boyfriend asked me if I wanted one so he could get one for me but I knew it was him who wanted one really badly. HAHA!

We got the dark chocolate one. I didn’t get to eat much of it though because I was having a very bad cough that day. Please don’t judge the forehead. Hehe.

Boyfriend holding a bag of coffee.

Here is a closer look of it. Don’t you just love the packaging? It was really nice of them to brew us some of this coffee so we could sample it. It was really good! I recommend that you pick this up should you bump into one of their branches that carry this.

Picked out a bottle of Sunflower Beauty Oil for myself. It’s one of their best sellers. I already tried it and it’s amazing! I use it as a make-up remover, hair serum and under eye moisturizer. Once I’ve emptied this bottle, I plan to drop it at this branch for recycling and purchase another one.

By the way, Human Heart Nature has awesome customer service. Should you be unhappy with any of their products, you can return them for a replacement, refund or credit.

They also have other merchanise such as t-shirts, bags and more!

To know more about Human Heart Nature and their products, I suggest that you visit their website by clicking here. They’re all about the good.