The Batuan tree (Scientific name – Garcinia binucao) is indigenous to the southeast region and can reach a height of approximately 25 meters. Belonging to the Clusiaceae family, these trees are commonly found in low-altitude forests, particularly in the Philippines and Vietnam. The fruit of the Binucao tree has a very sour taste and is often used as a souring agent in local recipes. Similar to mangosteen, these sub-globose fruits have a multi-sectioned pod containing sour-flavored seeds. The leaves of the Batuan tree are ovate-oblong, about 15cm long, and medium-sized. The fruit has a firm outer covering with a very acidic pulp and numerous seeds. The flowers are small, red, and borne in clusters on pendulous branches. The shiny, smooth leaves and black bark of the tree are characteristic features. The rounded fruits are around 4cm in diameter.
Batuan (or batwan) fruit is a key ingredient in Ilonggo cuisine, distinguishing it from others. It is commonly used in dishes such as cansi, pinamalhan, KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka), and sinigang. Batuan is to Ilonggos what tamarind is to Tagalogs. The fruit is somewhat round, greenish, and turns yellow when ripe, with a sour pulp containing 4-6 seeds. It is not as acidic as vinegar or calamansi. Batuan is related to mangosteen and is known scientifically as Garcinia binucao. Although some believe it only grows in Negros, it is also found in lowland areas like Oton, Iloilo. Anecdotes about the fruit’s name and in various regions add to its cultural significance.
Essentials Daily is a Philippine SEC registered company – Essentials Daily, OPC; that started as an online brand back in April 2020. Essentials Daily used to cover the online (and offline) retail of food essentials distributing items such as frozen fresh fish & seafoods, frozen raw and processed meat, and fresh fruits & vegetables. The company also explored selling various Philippine items – as distributor (e.g, Bicol Express & Laing from Bicol, Exotic dried fish from Cebu, etc.) However, with the expected increase of online businesses and sellers – having multiple seller of the same product line; the brand changed its strategy and focused on creating, selling and distributing a “niche product” that is unique, distinct and focuses on reaching a (target) community, both locally and abroad: the Batuan product line. Special thanks also to our business partner and head of production and R&D, Don Cruz, who is responsible for keeping our Batuan product line pure and natural, particularly our banner product: The Batuan Powder. The Batuan Powder has already been certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines last March 2024 – issued a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR). Then on June 2024, we also received from FDA the License to Operate (LTO) as an Exporter as well as a local wholesaler and distributor. The company was Halal certified last Feb 2024 while the brand & product – Batuan Powder, was Halal certified on Apr 13, 2024. The brand is on its final stages to be Certified as an organic product by the Dept. of Agriculture (DA) as well as being Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certified. The brand’s primary purpose and objective is to distribute this product, globally (thru exportation) so that the product will reach our fellow kababayans in all corners of the world, esp. our kababayans who grew up with the taste and are familiar with this fruit. The same is the company’s intent for our soon to be FDA certified, Batuan Powder Mix – Batuan powder with Salt; the certification should be done and finalized within 2Q of this year. While bulk of our Batuan Powder supplies are mostly exported in Australia and New Zealand and sold on bulk to selected Ilonggo-themed food institutions and restaurants, local clients can still purchase our products (in limited supplies) thru the online platforms stores of Essentials Daily, such as Shopee and Lazada.