In Philadelphia, Julián Ramos, a Colombian entrepreneur, is taking the tradition of the Colombian oblea to the next level with his innovative business “Oblea Fusion.” This project was born from his passion for sharing a typical sweet from his homeland and the need to offer something new and authentic to the local Hispanic community.
Besides being an entrepreneur, Julián is an economist and works as a recruiter, dedicating his efforts to supporting Hispanic families with children on the autism spectrum. This social commitment is reflected in the passion and dedication he puts into his venture, which started as a weekend side income and has now become a growing gastronomic offering.
The oblea is a thin and crispy wafer traditionally filled with arequipe, a popular Colombian milk sweet (“dulce de leche”). Julián has modernized this classic recipe by incorporating artisanal fillings like neutral-flavored cheese to balance the sweetness, homemade fruit sauces such as blackberry, and a variety of Colombian desserts like strawberries with cream, maracu-mango, and merengón, all part of his menu.
“In Colombia, obleas are usually eaten with just a napkin, but we want to offer a more polished presentation, serving them in a small bag so people can enjoy them comfortably,” Julián explains. He also points out that obleas are eaten fresh, at room temperature, without toasting or heating, ready to be enjoyed immediately.
The preparation starts with a generous layer of arequipe spread over the wafer, followed by a layer of neutral cheese that provides a sweet-and-salty contrast. Then, whipped cream is added on the second wafer, bringing freshness and balance to the mix. Julián also highlights the oblea’s versatility, which can be combined with other exotic flavors like passion fruit sauce or pulp (called “maracuyá” in Colombia, “parcha” in Puerto Rico and “chinola” in D.R.).
Although there is no physical store yet, Julián sells his obleas at fairs, events, and provides catering for parties and weddings. He is currently in the process of acquiring a food trailer to increase his presence on the streets and extend service hours.
The acceptance has gone beyond the Hispanic community, with people from diverse cultures in Philadelphia now enjoying these sweets. Julián encourages other entrepreneurs to take the first step without fear: “The support is amazing; there are no limits to growth.”
Committed to the growth and well-being of our community, we reaffirm the importance of supporting local talents and businesses. From here, we say: Support local!
Oblea Fusion contact lines: Instagram, @oblea_fusion; Phone: (256) 800-0838.