Tuyo or dried herring is considered by many as “poor man’s food” because of its cheap price and distinct salty taste.

Over the years, however, it has turned into a gourmet delicacy, with the dried herring soaked in olive oil and spices and placed in bottles. It became a staple in supermarkets, bazaars, pasalubong kiosks, and even restaurants.

People may think that the gourmet tuyo market is already crowded, but not Anne Bautista of SSB Gourmet Products, who added fun twists to her favorite delicacy.

“I wanted to do something exciting. Naisip ko kasi pare-parehas na lang lagi,” she said.

“Usually walang variety, it’s either just the regular tuyo or spicy, kaya naisip ko gawan ng iba’t ibang flavor,” she added.

After over two months of trial and error, Bautista successfully re-imagined tuyo into six flavors: salted egg (spicy or regular), lemongrass, basil, chili garlic, lemon and, her personal favorite, turmeric.

Bautista admitted that her creations – particularly the salted egg variant – were initially met with hesitation, especially from older customers who prefer plain or spicy tuyo.

“Some are hesitant to try new flavors. Lalo na ‘yung matatanda, they would rather stick to the classic and safe variety,” she said, adding that other customers are worried that her salted egg tuyo product would be too salty.

Bautista assured, however, that the flavors of her tuyo products are well-balanced, and that they only use fresh and organic ingredients.

“We use organic eggs, it is less saltier than the regular ones you buy in the market,” she explained.

“We don't want it to have too much salt. Binalance namin. The health of our customers is also our concern… It’s not as salty as the regular tuyo. Tamang-tama lang siya.”

Bautista prepares the tuyo with garlic, onions, and a well-kept secret ingredient in organic olive oil to prevent skin allergies among her clients.

She then adds herbs or fruits, such as basil or lemon, to make the flavors shine.

Bautista takes pride in sourcing most of their ingredients locally. She buys freshly caught fish from her hometown of Cavite, known for its numerous fish ponds and fish processing plants.

She only cooks in small batches not only to ensure quality, but also to give it a homemade touch.

While the tuyo can be enjoyed on its own or with rice, Bautista suggests serving it with bread or over pasta.

“Masarap rin siya sa pasta. I recommend using the basil flavor with pasta. All you have to do is mix them together,” she said.

SSB Gourmet Products’ gourmet tuyo is sold on the brand’s Facebook page and is priced at P180 to P195 per bottle. Crispy espada, bagoong, and chili garlic products are also available.