Cover Nadine Lustre and Christophe Bariou unveil Dehusk, a game-changing 100 per cent plant-based coconut milk from the Philippines that embodies advocacy, sustainability and local pride in every sip (Photo: Tatler)
Nadine Lustre and Christophe Bariou unveil Dehusk, a game-changing 100 per cent plant-based coconut milk from the Philippines that embodies advocacy, sustainability and local pride in every sip (Photo: Tatler)
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Produced in the Philippines, Dehusk champions sustainability, animal welfare and local natural bounty
When it rains, it pours—but that didn’t stop the excitement at the Dehusk launch over the weekend. A little drizzle couldn’t rain on the parade of actress Nadine Lustre and entrepreneur Christophe Bariou as the Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow introduced their 100 per cent plant-based coconut milk in the best way possible—with a cup of coffee.
The star of the show, Dehusk, is said to be the Philippines’ first locally produced, fortified coconut milk. While it is a delicious dairy alternative, it’s a reflection of the couple’s advocacies towards sustainability.
“This is about setting a new standard,” Bariou says of Dehusk’s brand vision. “We want to take the coconuts that are grown right here in the Philippines and turn them into something revolutionary—coconut milk that’s light, delicious and sustainable. It’s time to stop relying on imports and start embracing what we can grow ourselves.”
Read more: What does sustainable dining look like?
The latest data from the Philippine Coconut Authority shows that 14.7 metric tonnes of coconuts are produced every year, with 3.6 million hectares of land planted with coconut trees. Across the country, 69 out of 82 provinces are producing coconuts with 2.5 million farmers. From 2014 to 2018 alone, the country earned US$1.5 billion from exporting coconuts.
The entrepreneur also stresses that the Philippines is one of the largest exporters of coconuts in the world yet its potential in the global milk market has remained largely untapped.
Bariou, along with Lustre, is determined to change that. “We’re helping our farmers, we’re helping the environment, and we’re helping the animals,” he adds, highlighting the cruelty-free nature of Dehusk’s production process.
“It represents everything I stand for,” says Lustre, also a staunch animal rights advocate. “My love for animals, for the people, for our country and my fight against injustice and animal cruelty—especially from the dairy industry, which we are here to disrupt.”
Read more: How going meatless fights climate change
And speaking of taste, Dehusk is far from your average coconut milk. “It’s not the heavy, creamy texture you might expect,” says Bariou. “It’s light and refreshing, and you can enjoy it even without coffee. But we’ve partnered with Dot Coffee to bring you some exclusive iced coconut drinks that showcase our coconut milk at its best.”
A week after Dehusk went to the shelves, the brand, which was founded by the couple along with sustainability partners Quan Tan and Samuel Tecuala, collaborated with homegrown Dot Coffee.
Guests were able to get their first taste of the exclusive iced coconut drinks: the crowd-favourite coconut cream cold brew; Lustre’s pick, cocochata, a twist on the classic horchata; and Bariou’s choice, calamansi coconut latte, an adventure in a cup filled with coconut milk, tangy calamansi and a shot of espresso. These exclusive flavours will be available at the Dot Coffee kiosk at The Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Read more: How to make and enjoy a good cup of coffee
The collaboration with Dot Coffee is an exciting chapter in the story of Dehusk, and it’s just the beginning. “We want to establish ourselves as pioneers of high-quality coconut milk,” says Tecuala, who is a co-founder of Dehusk. “As startups, we know how important it is to create an experience that people can get behind. It's about making coconut milk the go-to dairy alternative, not just in the Philippines, but in Southeast Asia and beyond.”
Looking ahead, Tecuala says they are focused on expanding the reach of Dehusk, with plans for a three-month trial with Dot Coffee at the Mind Museum. “Our goal is to get coconut milk into as many cups as possible,” he said. “We want to make Dehusk a staple in every home, every café and every market. It’s time to make the Philippines proud of what we grow and innovate.”
As for the most rewarding part of this journey, Bariou summed it up perfectly: “It’s proving that coconut milk is an amazing, sustainable alternative. We’ve been sitting on this incredible resource for so long, and it’s time to finally put it to good use.”
With Dehusk, they’re doing exactly that—proving that the future of milk is plant-based, cruelty-free, local and full of promise.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
