Turning [coconut] water into wine
A Filipino winemaker is hoping to put coconut-based wines, which have long been consumed in parts of South Asia and Africa, on liquor store shelves around the world. Made from the sap of coconut palm flowers, Vino de Coco is slated to hit shelves this month in China, where it will sell for 100 Yuan a bottle ($16), reports trade publication The Drinks Business. And while coconut wine is considered a common “conventional” drink in the Philippines, Filipino-American entrepreneur George Vacal Paraliza is hoping to turn the beverage — also known locally as tuba – into the world’s first premium product by upgrading with “aroma, flavor and complexity.” Coconut wine […]
Homestays not for ‘you’ in Myanmar
Myanmar’s tourism minister is discouraging locals from hosting tourists in their homes Airbnb-style, suggesting that foreigners would balk at their customs and exert a negative influence. Describing foreign mannerisms as “inappropriate” for local residents, U Htay Aung said that locals should only open their homes to tourists in remote areas like the Magway Region which don’t have hotels, reported the Myanmar Times this week. It’s a statement that will disappoint foreigners who seek authenticity in their travels and the chance to live with the locals. While technically banned, homestays are common modes of lodging for tourists, particularly during multi-day treks, points out the Myanmar Times. But according to Aung, preventing […]