KOTA KINABALU, 28 May 2021 - SugarBun Borneo Asian Food today unveiled a homegrown range of hot sauces with the key ingredient being the momporok chilli from Kunak, Sabah.

Locally inspired by Sabah’s Lada, a chilli condiment always available on a number of dine-in tables in restaurants, kopitiams and various eateries, Sabasco is tangy, sweet, spicy and aims to enhance meals to a much higher level of satisfaction.

The online event, launched on Facebook and Instagram, was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Sabah.

While congratulating SugarBun on its successful launch, Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan expressed his hope that the product would eventually become a ‘worldwide sensation’ as it is in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya Development plan to expand local agriculture globally.

Also in virtual attendance was Datuk Joseph Ambrose Lee, Executive Director of Borneo Oil Berhad and Director of SB Supplies & Logistics Sdn Bhd. He was excited to have finally launched Sabasco after five years of research and development.

The event also featured a mini-documentary on the story of Sabasco and the momporok chilli, which is available for viewing on Sabasco’s YouTube page.

Local personality Carls Evert also held a Sabasco eating contest during the launch event with two surprised guests, using the momporok chilli to the ultimate taste test.

Fans of SugarBun were also delighted to be able to partake in a lucky draw contest with prizes of up to RM2,000, along with various SugarBun and Pezzo Pizza vouchers.

Available in both Original and Sweet & Spicy, Sabasco Hot Sauce is now available for purchase at all SugarBun and Pezzo outlets throughout Malaysia, online via Shopee or directly from their webstore at www.sabasco.com

About the Sabasco Hot Sauce made with momporok chilli from Kunak, Sabah

The creation of the Sabasco Hot Sauce was inspired by the everyday hot sauce commonly known as ‘lada” in Sabah.

Lada is a staple condiment with quite a number of meals in Sabah. It’s thick, tangy, and most importantly, spicy!

It took more than five years to research, develop and perfect the Sabasco taste, starting with a search for quantities of the elusive small and fiery momporok chilli.

Momporok is a native Dusun word for Bulbul birds, known for eating chilli and dispersing the seeds. The birds are attracted to these wild-growing chilli just as it ripens to a bright red colour. The chilli is easy to spot and even easier to eat as it stands upright against the rest of the chilli bush.

To learn more about this mutually beneficial relationship between these two unique kinds of nature, SugarBun put together a Research & Development team to seek out other places where this ‘symbiosis’ occurs.

And that is when they discovered small chilli plantations in Kunak, Sabah.

Kunak is located on the East Coast of Sabah, and is best known for its nutrient-rich soil due to volcanic activity dating back over millions of years just as the island of Borneo was forming. It is also home to an abundance of birds, and in particular, the Bulbul bird.

Throughout the years, the momporok chilli continues to be cultivated by Kunak farmers with minimal intervention to quicken its growth. This traditional method of farming differs from the methods used for Hybrid chillis grown in Lahad Datu. It results in a slower-growing chilli, but a harvest that is spicier, more flavourful and aromatic.

Due to how it is grown naturally, momporok chilli can be susceptible to the weather and changes in season, threatening its steady supply.

Working directly with plantations and farmers, SugarBun plans to provide the support that goes beyond securing a successful harvest. This includes future long term supply agreements to increase job prospects and security within the industry, boosting the agricultural sector in Kunak and ongoing efforts to position Sabah as a haven for the best chillis in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

SugarBun pivots to adapt to changing times

Amidst the current Covid-19 pandemic engulfing the food and service industry, SugarBun is also evolving to embrace new business strategies to focus on expanding its home consumer market with the launch of the Sabasco Hot Sauce.

With over 40 years of shared meals and cherished memories throughout its outlets, SugarBun is now ready to be a part of your home meal with the irresistible Sabasco Hot Sauce!

Source: SugarBun Borneo Asian Food. Wholesalers are welcome to make enquiries by calling +6016-830-0016 or emailing [email protected].

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