BLENDED VINEGARS, PICKLED MANGOES, `GUYABANO' LEAF-TEA-PH-MADE GROCERY FINDS
Press Feature — Philippine Daily Inquirer
Blended Vinegars, Pickled Mangoes & Guyabano Leaf Tea — PH-Made Grocery Finds
A visit to Landers Arcovia turned into a discovery of some of the most remarkable proudly Philippine-made products on shelves today. Among the standouts: tiny bottles labeled Basimatsi — blended vinegars and condiments by Kitchen Witchery.
The brand name is a derivative of the most beloved Filipino ingredients — bawang, sibuyas, kamatis at sili. And the story behind it is as organic as the product itself.
“While trying to make a universal spiced vinegar blend that would be used for everyday dipping, many samples were prepared. Since everyone’s palate was different, we ended up making and approving different varieties.”
Winfred Tan, Founder, Kitchen WitcheryA Guide to Every Variety & How to Use Them
Basimatsi #1
Suka Liso
A blend of three vinegars — cane, palm, and coconut. Use as a base for vinaigrette or for any food preparation.
✦ Perfect for: sinigang, paksiw na lechon, paksiw na isda
Basimatsi #2
Suka Timplado
Infused with Philippine spices for a bold, aromatic dip that elevates fried favorites.
✦ Perfect for: tuyo, Vigan longganisa, fried chicken
Basimatsi #3
Suka Minatamis
Subtly sweet with a hint of molasses — a gentle, rounded vinegar that adds depth without sharpness.
✦ Perfect for: adobo, inihaw na liempo, inihaw na manok
Basimatsi #4
Suka Sinalabat
Ginger-infused with a warm, clean bite. A natural match for raw seafood preparations.
✦ Perfect for: kinilaw (any variety)
Basimatsi #5
Suka Pinausukan
Smoky and aromatic — a vinegar with a distinct character that transforms a simple dressing.
✦ Perfect for: vinaigrette, grilled meats
Basimatsi #6
Suka Toyomansi
Created for the younger set — a ready-made sawsawan that frees you from mixing your own dip.
✦ Perfect for: lechon, lechon kawali, crispy pata
Basimatsi #9
Labuyo Cerveza
A hot sauce brewed, aged, and fermented — inspired by the beer-making process. Kitchen Witchery’s bold rendition of Sriracha, with a distinctly Filipino soul.
✦ Perfect for: pizza, pasta, tacos, marinades, steak, grill, chips, dimsum, noodles
Pik a Pickle — Pickled Mango (Burong Mangga)
A perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a whisper of salt and a satisfying crunch. Founder Tony Nola Jr. started making pickles in 2011 after falling in love with burong mangga in Chinatown — and eventually decided to make his own. Sangkutsa Food Corp. was born, and Pik a Pickle followed.
Serve in place of regular achara alongside anything grilled or fried, or chop and toss into a roasted eggplant salad with fresh manggang hilaw, onions, tomatoes, and bagoong for a refreshing burst of flavor.
HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drink
An unexpected find — guyabano leaves, when dried, fermented, and brewed, yield a drink with a distinct flavor that stands apart from any tea on the market. Best served ice cold.
“If there’s a drink that’s truly Filipino, the first of its kind that can give us hope, it’s HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drink.”
Mike Atayde, Maker, HG Guyabano TeaIntroduced in February 2018, the drink was born from a fruit processing plant in Palawan and a passion for promoting locally available, health-forward ingredients. Taste first, benefits second — and it delivers on both.
As Seen in the Inquirer
Shop Basimatsi by Kitchen Witchery
Seven distinct Filipino vinegar blends — each crafted with intention, each with a story worth tasting.
Shop Basimatsi