Gene peanut butter choices
By V. Sivaji
Now, we have our very own peanut butter brand which is made in Penang.
Eugene Tan is the founder of Gene Food and Beverage. He makes homemade peanut butter and is a talented barista too.
Holding a diploma in Hotel Management, he had worked in several hotels in Penang, namely the iconic E&O and other local hotel chains.
His business is a one-man show as he makes his own products right from purchasing the ingredients, preparing them, bottling and finally delivering them to clients.
“I am running a home-based food and beverage business. I started the business by launching the Signature Homemade Gula Melaka Latte and Espresso Martini by the jar.
“To-date, thanks to my loyal customers who are enthusiastic about the Signature Homemade Gula Melaka Latte, I started to suit my products from my self-taught peanut butter, using the same signature homemade gula melaka. It turns out to be well received by my customers and currently is Gene’s top seller.” said Tan.
His choices of peanut butter range from Gula Melaka Peanut Butter (Signature), Gula Melaka Peanut Butter Coconut, Peanut Butter Sweetened by lakanto (Sugar Free) and Almond Butter Sweetened by lakanto (Sugar Free).
They come in 100g and 250g bottles and prices range from RM15 to RM28 each.
They also customise 1kg to 1.5kg packaging for the supply for those bakery and pastry. They also do customised gift sets too.
“It was when the COVID-19 pandemic that the hotel industry and the food and beverage sector were badly impacted that I ventured into this business.
“Now, after two- years plus, more people get to know our products. Most of our clients purchase online and among them are bakeries, gyms, cafes, and organic shops,” shared Tan.
He also adds that what is unique or different about his peanut butter products is that they are homemade and he uses Gula Melaka to make his peanut butter and there are no preservatives or artificial flavour.
“I use the traditional wok to fry the peanuts and as such, the taste and smell is more aromatic and strong flavour of peanut butter. We also have peanut butter which is sugar free.
“I hope to expand and supply more varieties of nut spread. Being a Small Medium Enterprise (SME), we need to be passionate about our business regardless of challenges.
“Making it in this industry involves a lot of hard work as there is no shortcut. Most importantly, you must believe in your own products,” added Tan.
Penang Hyperlocal wishes Eugene Tan the very best in his venture and hopes that he can also expand his market to neighbouring countries in the near future.
Eugene Tan (centre) at one of his promotional booths recently