Bougainvillea and blue ternate flowers are no longer just for the garden; they're now being turned into crunchy, healthy snacks by inventive agriculture students in Pangasinan.

In Calasiao, students from Pangasinan State University developed “Bloom Bites Crisp,” a flower-based cracker made from steamed and fried bougainvillea and blue ternate mixed with glutinous flour and seasonings.

“Wala pa po kaming na-encounter na crackers na gawa sa flower, kaya bougainvillea flower and blue ternate,” Reniel James de Vera, a fourth year Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness student, said.

“Sa bougainvillea flower po is meron siyang anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Sa blue ternate flower is nagsu-support siya sa health ng skin and hair,” he added.

Another team created “Squanth Crisp,” a nutritious snack made from amaranth leaves, which is often considered a weed.

It is blended with squash, rice flour, and spices. After steaming and dehydrating, the mixture is fried into crispy chips.

“Ang amaranth po ay considered na damo sa ating halaman. Isa po siya sa problema ng mga magsasaka kaya naisip po naming gawing pagkain,” Jerome Pimentel, a 3rd year BS Agriculture student, said.

“Upon researching, it is considered a superfood. Iyong squash po is additional nutrients po sa ating katawan kaya pinag-mix namin silang dalawa,” he added.

Both snacks highlight not only creativity but also nutritional value. Amaranth, in particular, is rich in vitamins, making the chips ideal for children’s snacks.

With ingredients sourced from backyard gardens, these student innovations aim to promote healthy eating, minimize food waste, and give new purpose to commonly ignored plants.