Probiotic durian beer and bubble tea with Kriza Calumba

Release Date: 28 November, 2020
Share on:

Kriza Calumba is an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Mindanao who has a research interest in probiotics. She was awarded a Fulbright scholarship, and completed her Masters at Louisiana State University where she researched non-dairy probiotic options, specifically incorporating durian rind into a probiotic ale.

Join us as we talk about durian beer, Kriza's interest in local food industry and food science communication, and her new probiotic bubble tea business.

About Kriza Calumba

Kriza Calumba is an assistant professor of the Department of Food Science and Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Mindanao. She previously received a Fulbright-CHED scholarship, which allowed her to pursue Master’s studies at Louisiana State University, USA. Her Master’s research was on beer with probiotic bacteria immobilised in durian rind powder. With her interest in probiotics, she also recently opened a probiotic bubble tea business in Davao City, Philippines. She is looking forward to communicating food science to more people as well as providing more health-promoting food options to the general public.

Listen to the Podcast

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, Goodpods, Overcast, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Blubrry, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, JioSaavn, RSS , and other podcast platforms.

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music

Watch on YouTube

  • [01:00] Kriza's interest in Food and Nutrition Sciences.
  • [01:53] Pursuing a career in academia.
  • [02:18] Kriza's focus on probiotics and her Masters research.
  • [03:06] The untapped potential of probiotics.
  • [03:42] Exploration of non-dairy probiotic options.
  • [04:35] Kriza's research using durian rind to develop probiotic beer.
  • [05:55] Trying her hand at homebrew.
  • [07:13] Learning that durian rind had a preservative effect on bacteria.
  • [08:28] The wives' tale about consumption of durian with alcohol.
  • [09:18] The unexpected popularity of her research.
  • [10:24] Kriza's new probiotic bubble tea venture.
  • [12:08] How probiotics can reduce sugar levels in bubble tea.
  • [12:53] Juggling an academic career with a startup.
  • [14:58] Starting a new business during a pandemic.
  • [16:28] Kriza's research into indigenous vegetable consumption.
  • [18:54] The importance of local food industry related research.
  • [20:29] The affects of globalisation on local diets.
  • [21:33] Other regional academic efforts in this area.
  • [21:53] Supporting local through her own business.
  • [23:02] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?
  • [25:02] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?
  • [25:18] "The Purpose Driven Life".
  • [26:23] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?
How to cite: Ong, M. (Host), & Calumba, K. (Guest). (2020, November 28). Probiotic durian beer and bubble tea with Kriza Calumba [Audio podcast episode]. In STEAM Powered. Michele Ong. https://www.steampoweredshow.com/shows/kriza-calumba.html

Topics/Resources/People Mentioned

Publications

Papers authored by Kriza Calumba or mentioned in our conversation.

Calumba, K. F. (2019). Ale Beer Containing Free and Immobilized Lactobacillus Brevis, a Potential Delivery System for Probiotics. LSU Master’s Theses. https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_theses.4896
Soriano, P., Villame, R. G., Calumba, K. F., Alviola, J. N., Delima, A. G., Alviola, P., & Bayogan, E. R. (2020). Utilization of `Alugbati’ (Basella Alba L.) Leaves Powder to Increase Vitamin A Content of Fresh Egg Noodles. Philippine Journal of Science, 149(2). https://doi.org/10.56899/149.02.06
Teh, S.-S., Ahmad, R., Wan-Abdullah, W.-N., & Liong, M.-T. (2009). Evaluation of Agrowastes as Immobilizers for Probiotics in Soy Milk. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57(21), 10187–10198. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf902003a
Tocmo, R., Pena-Fronteras, J., Calumba, K. F., Mendoza, M., & Johnson, J. J. (2020). Valorization of Pomelo ( Citrus Grandis Osbeck) Peel: A Review of Current Utilization, Phytochemistry, Bioactivities, and Mechanisms of Action. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 19(4), 1969–2012. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12561

Books

Books authored by Kriza Calumba or mentioned in our conversation.

Warren, R. (2012). The purpose driven life: What on earth am I here for? (10th ed.). Zondervan. GoodReads wiki

Connect with Us

Support STEAM Powered

Review Us

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoodPods, Podchaser, or your preferred podcatcher.

Become a Patron

Patreon Logo Become a patron

Affiliate Programs

Start your own podcast or YouTube channel, or run panels and seminars with Riverside.fm. Record up to 8 people in a session with up to 1000 audience members. You can record in advance as I do, or you can livestream with the option to send it straight to Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, or Twitch. There’s even a green-room for guests and live call in for audience members. Afterwards, get separate video (up to 4K) and audio (up to 48kHz) tracks per recorded participant for editing, none of that “active speaker only” limitation. You know you’re in good hands with a service whose client-base includes some heavy-hitters. Check out Riverside.fm to see who else is on board. Use promo code STEAM25 to get 25% off the first three months of your subscription.

Music is “Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935” by Brett Van Donsel.

More in science

Mars Rovers

Episode #14 • November 13, 2020

Mars Rovers with Keri Bean

Keri Bean is a Systems Engineer at NASA JPL where she is the deputy lead Rover Planner and Helicopter Integration Engineer. Join us as we talk about the Curiosity Mars rover, Star Wars, and cake decorating.

Live virtual music experiences using emerging technologies

Episode #79 • June 21, 2025

Live virtual music experiences using emerging technologies with Sally Coleman

The world of musical and creative expression is continuously evolving, and there are more ways to create and engage with music, and audiences, than ever before. It all starts with an enquiring mind and a desire to explore new frontiers. Sally Coleman is a musician and creative director of the science fiction virtual band Big Sand. Join us as we speak with Sally about her journey to developing Big Sand, creating engaging virtual music experiences, and the role of emerging technologies in the creative industries.