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At only 26, Nutchana Tiamchayphan has turned a simple idea into a healthy innovation: Trumkin, a non-dairy spread made from pumpkin seeds that has a texture and taste similar to cheese.
Nutchana’s passion for food and sustainability led her to explore non-dairy alternatives while participating in a 2019 Food Innopolis Foodcamp, a Thai government-supported initiative aimed at boosting the nation's food industry through innovation.
Her initial prototypes included a spread made from mung beans, but supply chain disruptions during the pandemic caused her to change direction.
“Switching to pumpkin seeds wasn’t easy,” Nutchana recalls, “but it ended up being the best decision.”
Akeanong Jangbua, the Food Innopolis programme director, helped Nutchana navigate the intricacies of product development and linked her with specialists and collaborators.
“Nut’s journey is truly outstanding,” Akeanong says. “Beginning as a student in our contests and transforming into a leader in food innovation, she truly represents the essence of Food Innopolis.”
Nutchana founded her company, PB Foodtory Co., Ltd, in Bangkok in 2022 and began selling Trumkin spread in cafes and retail shops in 2024. She has four employees, half of them women.
At the WE RISE Together Accelerator Pitching Day 2024, Trumkin received the Second-Runner Up title.
“That moment felt like a dream,” Nutchana says. “It demonstrated that every late night and challenge was worthwhile.”
The WE RISE Together programme “allowed me to gain a broader perspective,” Nutchana says. “It was more than just developing the product. it was about making a difference, encouraging women, and combining sustainability into every aspect of the business.”
“This is only the beginning,” she says of her company’s ambitions. “Our goal is to dominate the wellness food market in Asia-Pacific and ultimately introduce Trumkin to audiences worldwide.”
Europe, known for its cheese culture and increasing focus on sustainable options, is high on her list.
Pumpkin seeds are packed with protein and other nutrients, allergen-free and produced in an environmentally friendly way. Trumkin sources them from local farms that are run by women and focus on sustainable agriculture. The spread is eaten with bread, fries, sandwiches, salad, etc.
This photo essay is part of the #WhenWomenLead WE RISE Together series. Supported by the Government of Australia through the Mekong-Australia Partnership, the WE RISE Together programme envisions an innovative ecosystem where women lead thriving businesses and gain equal access to and benefit from greater market opportunities in Thailand, Viet Nam and across the Mekong Region.
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