9 AAPI-Owned Food Brands to Support
May is Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, so there’s truly no better time to fill your pantry with some amazing new foods and ingredients from these AAPI-owned brands ahead. It’s one of the most fun (and delicious) ways to support chefs and makers in the AAPI community, and there is so much to learn […]
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May is Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, so there’s truly no better time to fill your pantry with some amazing new foods and ingredients from these AAPI-owned brands ahead. It’s one of the most fun (and delicious) ways to support chefs and makers in the AAPI community, and there is so much to learn — there are more than 75 countries in the AAPI region, and hundreds of unique cultures that have their own culinary traditions.
Spending your money on AAPI-owned brands goes directly back to members of these vibrant communities that help make our country, and the world, such a special place. We all benefit from uplifting AAPI voices and supporting AAPI-owned small business, so if you’re looking for a way to give back during AAPI heritage month, stock up your pantry and fridge with some of these delicious products. Whether you’re looking for a new hard seltzer flavor to serve at your next party, or need help trying to make the perfect cup of coffee at home, these AAPI food brands have something tasty waiting for you.
Lunar Hard Seltzer — Variety Pack
The hard seltzer market doesn’t show signs of slowing down, but if you’re looking for fresher flavors that are actually delicious, then check out Lunar Hard Seltzer. According to the brand, it’s the first-ever Asian craft hard seltzer, and the it features fresh fruit and ingredients from Asia. Try their Lunar Variety Pack, which includes four cans of each flavor they offer: Yuzu, Lychee, Korean Plum, and Passion Fruit.
Rooted Fare — Sesame Butter 2-Pack
What’s better than peanut butter? Black Sesame Crunchy Butter, of course, from Chinese-American woman-owned brand Rooted Fare. This spread is made with black sesame seeds and peanuts, is lightly sweetened with brown sugar, and has an irresistibly crunchy-smooth texture. It’s inspired by the filling of the Chinese dessert tang yuan, but you’ll want to put it on pretty much everything. Not a fan of sesame? Try their limited-edition Chinese Almond Cookie Butter or Pineapple Cake Cashew Butter.
Copper Cow Coffee — Latte Sampler
Vietnamese coffee is always a treat, but thanks to Copper Cow Coffee, founded by Vietnamese American coffee lover Debbie Wei Mullin, allows you to enjoy it at home. You can buy their convenient pour over latte bundles to make flavored coffee drinks at home — they come with coffee-filled disposable pour over filters, and single-serve sweetened condensed milk creamers. Their sampler latte kit includes single-serve pour over Vietnamese coffee in Classic, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Churro, and Lavender flavors, as well as sweetened condensed milk creamers. We also can’t stop drooling over this Churro Latte 5-pack.
Omsom — The Omsom Sauce Bundle
Omsom’s founders are sisters, Vanessa and Kim Pham. They’re daughters of Vietnamese refugees, and they’re on a mission to bring “proud, loud Asian flavors to your fingertips any day of the week.” Our favorite product of theirs? The Omsom Bundle, which is loaded with a variety of sauces to make quick weeknight meals, with flavors including Spicy Mala, Larb, and Yuzu Miso Glaze.
Nguyen Coffee Supply — Original Vietnamese Coffee Trio
Nguyen Coffee Supply is the first ever Vietnamese American-owned importer and roaster of green coffee beans from Vietnam in New York. Treat yourself to the Original Vietnamese Coffee Trio, which includes their Moxy, Truegrit, and Loyalty blends.
Us Two Tea — Loose Leaf Tea Set
Founded by 29-year-old Ranmu Xue, Us Two Tea is an e-commerce tea brand which aims to make Taiwanese tea more accessible for consumers in U.S. Try the Loose Leaf Tea Set: it contains 50 grams each of two types of tea, Osmanthus Oolong loose leaf tea and Jasmine loose leaf tea, both great introductions to this style.
immi — Variety Vol. 1 6-Pack
Described as “surprisingly healthy instant ramen,” immi was founded by Kevin Lee and Kevin Chanthasiriphan, both of whom worked alongside their families in the markets of Taiwan and Thailand. “We started immi to help our families better manage their health conditions arising from poor nutrition and unhealthy diets,” they write on their website. The Variety Vol. 1 6-Pack is a great way to sample three of their most popular flavors, which are actually all plant-based: Spicy “Beef”, Black Garlic “Chicken”, and Tom Yum “Shrimp”.
Fly By Jing — Triple Threat
Founded by Jing Gao in 2018 and inspired by the flavors of her hometown, Chengdu, Fly By Jing boasts a line of Sichuan-inspired sauces: Sichuan Chili Crisp, Zhong Sauce, and Mala Spice Mix. She basically started a whole renaissance of artisanal chili crisp, one of the best condiments on the planet, and the Zhong Sauce is so good, we put it on pretty much everything.
Lomli — Coffee Bag 10-Pack
If you ever wanted to mix the convenience of tea bags with the energy and flavor of coffee, look no further. Lomli offers coffee in convenient tea bags, making them perfect for on-the-go. Lomli is a woman-owned business founded by Donna Kim.
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A version of this article was originally published in March of 2021.