ICYMI, a Filipino entrepreneur has a cold-brew tea business with Brad Pitt
In case you missed it, a Filipino entrepreneur in the United States has a booming cold-brew tea business with Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.
Davao-born Cristina Patwa, alongside Pitt and American entrepreneur John Fogelman, launched Enroot Sparkling Cold Brew Tea in April 2021, which "offers a unique experience crafted to excite the palate and pair with delectable gastronomies."
Patwa, who's also the brand's chief executive officer, said Enroot is an homage to her grandmother's legacy as a small-scale farmer and food entrepreneur in the Philippines.
In an interview with Forbes Magazine in 2021, Patwa recalled her childhood days on the farm of Pamela, or Mama Pame as she's fondly called.
"[W]hen we were hungry or thirsty, we were given fresh mango and coconuts pulled directly from the trees,” Forbes quoted Patwa as saying. “My time in the Philippines was the most joyful of my childhood. I got to see the impact my Lola had in giving women and men jobs, feeding the schools, and taking care of our soil health. Enroot has allowed me to bring that positivity back to my adulthood.”
"Her heartfelt memories and personal experiences are a driving force for our give back to sisters in the food community," the brand also said on its website.
According to its Instagram, it took Enroot three years "of collaborative effort" with chefs recognized at the annual James Beard Foundation Awards, named after the late culinary icon, to perfect its brew.
The beverages are made using a 20-hour cold brew method for a "delicious taste experience, energy levels, antioxidants and wellness attributes," Enroot's website states.
The tea only has 25 calories 5g carbohydrates per 355 ml bottle. There’s also no extra sugar added, as the hint of sweetness already comes from a touch of fruit juice. It's also vegan, kosher, and gluten-free.
Above all, as a female-led brand with a pending B Corp Certification—which denotes high business standards in terms of social and environmental performance—Enroot is also a sustaining partner to the James Beard Foundation Women's Leadership Programs in order to empower women in the food community.
Enroot's offerings are in six-pack cases:
- Revitalize: Raspberry Mint White Peony Tea
- Rejuvenate: Peach Hibiscus Jasmine Green Tea
- Revive: Apple Lemon Cayenne Yerba Mate
- Relax: Strawberry Lavender Rosemary Tulsi
It also has a variety pack and tote bag.
Six-pack cases are worth $29.99 (around P1,577), but are only available at select grocery outlets in Southern California for now. They're looking forward to selling their products in other places "as soon as possible."