CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Banana is one of the common crops grown in almost all tropical countries;

including Asian countries, therefore it is an abundant and agricultural product.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority (n.d.), the increase is attributed to the

expansion of banana plantations and less weather disturbances. PSA reports

bananas ranked fourth with $140.91 million and a 2.5 percent share to the total

export receipts in June 2018.Sigh (2017) stated that banana plant is considered

as a gift of nature to mankind.

It is commonly known for its fruit portion due to its enormous dietary and

health benefits, but banana blossom (commonly known as flower or heart) can

also be considered a functional food or superfood due to its high nutrient content.

Despite being such a wonderful food, it is still underrated in most parts of the

world (except in the nations of South-East Asia). Therefore, it is the demand of

the current moment to raise awareness of banana blossom as it will not only

decrease banana waste but also assist individuals around the world to obtain

their health advantages.

According to Hingley (2016), Chips are one of the popular foods people

enjoy eating during their break, indicating that functionally enhancing a snack's

usefulness is comparison with the common alternative product. He emphasizes

that chips are part of each individual's eating habits.

 Banana Blossom Chips is innovated by the researchers to promote the

role of eating healthy foods as it improves healthy living and reduces mortality

rates, as well as the country's Philippine farming sectors to grow, expand and

boost market demand for banana blossom.

Background of the Study

Filipinos are known for being a food lover so innovation and development

of foods can have a greater impact on the attention and curiosity of the Filipinos

about the product of new entrants. They love to eat and try something new even

if it's out of their budget and if it's healthy or not, the important thing is that they

can go with the flow or the trend.

Laguna is composed of municipalities and cities and in every town in the

province has different food delicacies that they are known for. Pagsanjan and

Nagcarlan are towns in Laguna that are producers of chips such as Banana

Chips, Cassava Chips, and Shing-a-ling. Since the chips can be bought as

“Pasalubong”, the researchers develop the usual banana chips into banana

blossom chips.

Filipinos love to have some bonding time and eating is one of their

activities that make their leisure time more relaxing and enjoyable. They usually

watch movies, listening to music and chatting with each other while eating and

chips is one of the common snacks they eat. But some are picky-eater, so

Banana Blossom Chips were proposed. Banana Blossom Chips can be an

alternative for junk foods and help to gain nutrients from the main ingredient

which is the Banana Blossom.

 The researchers observed that there are lots of chips, but there is still a

wide chance for innovation and development that will satisfy the cravings of

individual. Researchers developed a chip that is healthier than the usual chips

and also, made of banana blossom which is an underrated part of the banana

plant.

Banana Blossom Chips can be dis