In just one year, Resensa is now being shipped to 37 countries around the world, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. It has also made inroads in the United States, Canada and Europe.
What made it such a popular product?
Lee says there is enough basic awareness about the benefits of green tea in the world market. However, its availability and its bitter flavor are reasons to its full appreciation in countries outside Asia.
"Most Pinoys cannot get away from the taste of sugar, and the bitter taste in green tea has worked against its full appreciation," Lee said. In the works now is a sugar-free version of the green iced tea.
Lee, whose firm also distributes food supplements, says that a glass of two of Resensa Green Iced Tea has 100 percent more antioxidant than a cup of hot green tea. He says you need to drink six to 10 pints of hot green tea to get the full benefits of antioxidants.
"Most people now take dietary supplements because they do not get enough nutrients from their daily diet of fruits and vegetables," Lee said. "The question is are you getting enough antioxidants and nutrients. What we offer in a glass of Resensa Green Iced Tea is a convenient, refreshing beverage that is unique and unlike regular iced tea drinks."
In many Western countries, awareness of the benefits of green tea is just being appreciated. The green iced tea is now seen as a delicious way of imbibing the good qualities of green tea.
Its popularity in the Philippines occurred by word of mouth, usually upon the advice of doctors.
"Many of our endorsers are doctors," Lee said, "that’s why our product has been picked by many restaurants."
In the Philippines, he said around 500 hotels and restaurants now serve Resensa. These include Cravings, Coffee Beanery, Via Mare, Gloriamaris, Cheesecake etc., Breakfast at Antonio’s, M Café and Josephine’s.
"It’s not a big market compared to soft drinks, but it is significant for a new product," he added.
At Café Puccini at The Fort, Resensa is served as an iced tea smoothie to complement its menu of authentic Italian cooking. Owner Peter Pirona says he discovered green iced tea from his Filipino wife, Lita.
"My wife is the perfect model for this product," Pirona says. "She says it delays aging that’s why I now drink it, too."
Whether taken with Café Puccini’s spaghetti marinara or any of its pizzas, Resensa is a refreshing beverage that is a perfect substitute to soft drinks. And if it goes well with Italian food, it is sure to go well with all kinds of cooking.