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| Photo from Hon Sophia Balod |
Dirty ice cream or sorbetes has been part of Pinoy's lives ever since. This street ice cream has brought fun and delight to kids from generation to generation.
Just recently a Filipino brand ice cream in The Netherlands, Luneta Ice Cream was recognized and given 2 national awards.
Last Monday, January 20, the De Nederlandse HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants and Café) Prijzen awarded Luneta Ice Cream the 2020 Food Truck of the Year Award for Ice Cream category and Gold Award for excellence in product and service.
De Nederlandse HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants and Café) Prijzen gives recognition to the best businesses in the Netherlands via public voting.
Luneta Ice Cream is the first Filipino ice cream in Europe. Launched in 2015 by couple Rhea Topacio and Dennis Rogacion, it started from a small kitchen using a portable ice cream maker. Currently it already available at selected retailers and restaurants in the Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Faroe Islands, Lithuania and Sweden.
Their best selling flavors include ube (purple yam) and Philippine mango. The other favorite flavors include Macapuno (coconut), Kapeng Barako (coffee), Pandan, Banana, Melon and Lychee, and Pineapple sorbet.
Meanwhile, after getting the award, Rhea Topacio said they are overwhelmed and touched by people's support for their brand.
"We are overwhelmed. We are touched that there are a lot of people who are supporting us and who love our products. We are a small business but we believe that we are making an impact,"Rhea Topacio,
She added that their inspiration was their childhood memories and they want other nationalities to enjoy the taste of pinoy ice cream and make them feel what it feels like in a tropical place.
"Our inspiration comes from our childhood memories. We miss the taste of ice cream that we grew up with and we would like to share that special flavor to more people, not just Filipinos. For Filipinos it is like going back to what we are used to and for other nationalities, to let them enjoy those tastes that make you feel like you are in a tropical place,"she added
