Cassava flour products under the Tasuko brand, owned by Ubon Bio Ethanol Plc (UBE), received 2023 Superior Taste awards for their excellence, meeting the standards set by the International Taste Institute in Belgium.
The awards not only marked UBE's success in developing high-standard food but would also encourage the company to further roll out new products to meet consumer demand, said Sureeyot Kousurat, chief executive and president of UBE, the Thai manufacturer and distributor of processed cassava products under the Tasuko brand.
The awards endorse and guarantee excellence in terms of taste. The award is approved by world-renowned chefs and sommeliers from the International Taste Institute, according to Ubon Sunflower Co, a unit of UBE.
Four Tasuko products won Superior Taste awards for their outstanding taste: all purpose organic cassava flour, under the three-star category; cassava flour batter mix spicy flavour, under the two-star category; pancake cassava flour mix, under the two-star category; and cassava flour batter mix original flavour, under the two-star category.
"These awards encourage us to move beyond in bringing innovation and technology to develop new products," said Ms Sureeyot.
"I would also like to thank the International Taste Institute, for certifying and guaranteeing the excellent taste of Tasuko products."
Tasuko cassava flour products are divided into three categories: all purpose organic cassava flour; cassava flour and batter mixes, which can be used to make cookies, brownies, pancakes, buttercup cakes, banana cakes, chiffon cakes and crepe cakes; and ready-to-eat products.
Ready-to-eat products are divided into two sub-categories -- brownie brittle (almond flavour and sea salt flavour), and gluten-free bread, which includes white bread, artisan bread and riceberry bread.
UBE reported earlier that 7-10% of flour consumers in the Thai market are allergic to gluten. This has become a business opportunity for the firm to produce products that serve the needs of these consumers.
Gluten-free flour helps this group of consumers avoid symptoms caused by their allergies, which include fatigue, headaches, abdominal pain, nausea and constipation.
UBE announced last year that the company expected its total revenue to grow by 15-20% in 2022, driven by high value-added products.
