Forget the cliché chocolates and flowers!

This Valentine's Day, surprise your loved ones with a truly unique and unforgettable treat — tilapia ice cream.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin, Dr. Dana Vera Cruz, one of the developers of Vera Bella Enterprises Ltd, shared the story behind the creation of this famous tilapia ice cream.

She revealed that it all started with a challenge in 2010 from Dr. Tereso A. Abella, the former President of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), who encouraged Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BS HRM) students to come up with innovative recipes using tilapia.

Inspired by Dr. Abella's experience with shrimp ice cream in Taiwan, Vera Cruz embarked on the concept of tilapia ice cream by creating a recipe book that would showcase the versatile culinary possibilities of tilapia.

“I concocted the tilapia ice cream. To my surprise, it garnered widespread praise for its distinctive flavor profile and delightful taste,” the developer said.

This led to the birth of Daerry’s Tilapia Ice Cream, known as CLSU’s “novelty product” and stands out for its tilapia tidbits which are free from any fishy smell or aftertaste.

More than just a treat

Since its release in 2015, extensive research and development have continuously improved the product.

Dr. Vera Cruz emphasized that the primary focus has been addressing the global concern of “declining fish consumption among children since 2007.”

She stressed that the introduction of tilapia ice cream serves as an “innovative and creative solution” to integrate fish, particularly tilapia, into children's diets.

According to her, Daerry's Tilapia Ice Cream offers not just a delightful ice cream experience, but also a nourishing protein source.

“Daerry's Tilapia Ice Cream fuses steamed and roasted tilapia flakes with the rich creaminess of carabao's milk, creating a unique dessert experience,” she said.

It boasts a “velvety texture and diverse flavors” crafted from high-quality ingredients, and most importantly, De Vera pointed out that it is free from any residual taste of tilapia — "This distinctive texture of the flakes adds an exciting touch while maintaining a fish-free flavor.”

She even walked through the production process by saying the process of eliminating the fishy smell and aftertaste of Tilapia is a technology protected by a Utility Model.

Premium source of their tilapia

Meanwhile, she emphasized that they only use the highest quality cultured tilapia as the main ingredient in their Tilapia Ice Cream (TIC) as the team prioritizes supporting local farmers and enhancing their livelihoods.

To achieve this, they have established partnerships with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at CLSU and the Freshwater Aquaculture Center (FAC) for sourcing the cultured tilapia essential for TIC production.

In addition, Daerry engaged with the Mabunga Cooperative, a group of local farmers, to procure the finest quality tilapia for ice cream production.

Through these collaborations, she said, they have secured access to a specific fishpond that serves as the source of their premium tilapia.

Partnership with DOST

Vera Cruz also highlighted that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has been with Tilapia Ice Cream since 2015.

“They provided some equipment for the production of tilapia ice cream and assisted also in the shelf life determination and up until now for its commercialization,” she said.

She stated that through DOST, Daerry's products now have a platform for distribution — Daerry's Scoop 'N Bites, an outlet specifically for Tilapia Ice Cream and cookies that offer a variety of flavors and variants.

Moreover, Vera Bella Enterprises Limited Co, the spin-off company established to commercialize Tilapia Ice Cream and Tilapia Cookies, has been recognized as one of the recipients of the START-UP Grant from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resource Research and Development of the Department of Science Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

In addition, Daerry's has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with PWD Smart Farmability in Malaysia for the global pre-commercialization of their products.

Furthermore, last Jan. 25, the paper, “Upscale Production and Commercialization of Daerry's Tilapia Ice Cream and Tilapia Cookies,” took the top spot in the Development Category of the 2023 NSAARRD.
 

For aspiring entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs with unconventional food ideas, Dr. Vera Cruz pointed out that it is crucial to have “belief” in your innovation.

“One of the reasons why Daerry's is where it is now is because of the overwhelming support of stakeholders such as government agencies and customers,” she said.

She highlighted that passion and conviction are “contagious,” and along the way, they will play a significant role in convincing others to accept and support your product.

Therefore, it is crucial to believe in your innovation before expecting others to believe in it and let that confidence shine through in every aspect of the business.

Also, approaching the venture with passion and dedication where “passion is infectious and will inspire others to support and have faith in your product.”

While it is essential to have faith in your innovation, she pointed out not to hesitate to seek guidance and advice from others, including mentors, industry experts, and most importantly, through prayer.

Moreover, as the business grows and prospers, remember to give back to the community and those in need.