Thai Meat Poultry Suppliers and Manufacturers

PRODUCT INFO The most popular and widely used culinary herb. It is a tender annual, aromatic plant with a spicy odor and flavor. It grows 12-18 inches tall and foliage color can range from green to purple. Foliage size can vary from large lettuce-like leaves to very small leaves, half inch in size. USES Sweet Basil picked for use in the kitchen is best held in a glass of water at room temperature. Putting basil in the refrigerator results in discolored and unattractive leaves. Basil is easily dried for storing and future use. It is used to flavor soups, stews, tomato dishes, meat, game, fish, egg dishes, herb butters and herb vinegars. SEASON Sweet Basil is available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO The coconut is a perennial plant belonging to the palm family ( Arecaceae ) and is the only living species of the genus Cocos. The coconut is a plant that can be used in a variety of ways, such as water and the pulp of young coconuts being eaten. The pulp of the mature fruit is grated and squeezed to make coconut milk. Coconut shells are used to invent things such as dippers, lanterns, etc. In addition, coconuts are classified as a kind of auspicious plant. According to the royal textbook of Brahmachat Has determined to plant coconuts in the east of the house. for prosperity. Young Coconuts are mainly used for the coconut water but the soft, sweet, delicate meat is also a real treat. They are harvested young and their green outer skin is pared away to a white cylindrical husk with a pointy, pencil-like tip. Inside the white husk is the familiar round coconut with its hard, fibrous shell, or the nut. Crack that open and you'll get to the sweet, refreshing coconut water. SEASON Coconuts are available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO Snake gourds range from small to very large in size and are elongated, slender, curved, or straight. There are two different categories of Snake gourds. One type is extremely long with hard skin and is grown for ornamental purposes, and the other type ranges in size and is grown for eating and medicinal purposes. Snake gourds that are used for consumption have waxy green skin and are often speckled or striped with a lighter shade of green. The fruit is typically consumed when young, with longer varieties averaging 40-45 centimeters in length and smaller varieties 15-20 centimeters in length. The gourd may grow straight or in twisted curls and spirals. When Snake gourds are young, the seeds are fairly non-existent, the pulp around the seed mass is firm, and the flavor is mild and similar to a cucumber. As it matures, the rind becomes hard, turns red, and the flavor becomes bitter and gelatinous with many seeds. Snake gourds contain iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, vitamins A, B, and C, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus. USES Snake gourds are best suited for cooked applications such as stir-frying, baking, stuffing, and boiling. They can be prepared and used like zucchini, sauteed and served as a side dish or added to dishes with other sauteed vegetables. They can also be added to sabzi, chopped into curries, stuffed and grilled, made into a chutney, fried, blended into soups, sliced into stir-fries, or pickled for extended use. When the gourd is mature, the seed mass within is scraped out and used like tomato paste in various Indian dishes. Snake gourds pair well with turmeric, cumin, coriander, mustard, red chiles, curry leaves, coconut, onion, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin, lentils, tofu, poultry, pork, and beef. They will keep for 2-3 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. SEASONS Snake gourds are available in the late summer through fall.

PRODUCT INFO Thai eggplants can have an elongated, cylindrical shape to a small, globular shape, averaging 2-3 centimeters in diameter. The outer skin is smooth and glossy and ranges from dark green, light green, to white. The vivid green hues begin at the fruit's stem and then fade to a creamy white in a striping pattern. The inner flesh is pale green to white and contains many small, brown, edible seeds. Thai eggplants are crunchy and mild with a slightly bitter taste. USES Thai eggplants can be consumed in both raw and cooked applications such as grilling, frying, baking, pureeing, stewing, stuffing, and pickling. This eggplant is unique because unlike other eggplant varieties that require cooking, it can be used in raw preparations, such as salads and crudite. The seeds are edible but can be difficult to chew. In cooked applications, Thai eggplants are most commonly used in curries, and when cooked they become soft and soak up the sauce with ease. They can also be sliced and added to stir-fries or battered and fried into a tempura side dish. Thai eggplant pairs well with aromatics such as garlic, ginger, and onions, herbs such as basil, oregano, cilantro and parsley, nightshade family members including tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, as well as coconut milk, soy sauce, shellfish, and poultry. Thai eggplants will keep up to three days when stored in a cool and dry place. SEASON Thai eggplants are available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO Peteh beans (Sator) pods are medium to large in size, averaging 30-45 centimeters in length, and are long, wide, ribbon-like, and sometimes twisted in shape. The green pods grow in clusters on tall trees, and when immature, the pods are flat and almost translucent. As they mature, the seeds begin to form within the pod causing protrusions, and the pod becomes tough, hard, and vibrant green. Inside the pod, there is a cream-colored, slippery film that encases the seeds and each pod can hold 15-20 seeds. The seeds are pale green and are similar in size to almonds. Peteh beans have an unusual smell, often compared to natural gas, and are crisp, soft, and tender with a rich and pungent flavor. Peteh beans (Sator) contain fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, vitamin C, riboflavin, and thiamin. USES Peteh beans (Sator) are best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, stir-frying, deep-frying, and sauteing. When young, the pods do not contain fully developed seeds and can be used whole in stir-fries or consumed raw, pickled, or fried. When mature, Peteh beans must be peeled before cooking and can be boiled in coconut milk or stir-fried with shrimp, curry paste, garlic, and chilies. It can also be roasted in the pods and eaten similar to edamame. To remove the seeds, carefully use a sharp knife to cut the pod or scrape the outer layer off into a bowl. Peteh beans can be dried, causing the seeds to turn black, and stored for extended use, or the beans can be pickled in a sour brine, creating a slightly rubbery texture without the loss of flavor. Peteh beans pairs well with chilies, garlic, onions, turmeric, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, shrimp paste, oyster sauce, shrimp, beef, pork, or poultry, and rice. The beans will keep for a week when stored in a cool and dry place and will keep for a couple of months when fermented. SEASON Peteh Bean is available year-round.

SKU: 217537123517253 Morning glory, is a hollow-stemmed semi-aquatic plant with long lance-like leaves. It's used throughout Asia but is perhaps best known by visitors to SE Asia who've seen theatrical street vendors cook it, then throw it across the street to be served up to goggled eyed and gasping tourists! PRODUCT INFO Chinese Morning Glory, botanically classified as Ipomoea aquatica, grow on an herbaceous, trailing vine that is found in humid, tropical lowlands and belongs to the Convolvulaceae, or morning glory family. Also known as Kangkung, Kankun, Chinese spinach, Water spinach, River spinach, and Swamp cabbage, Chinese Morning Glory are a popular leaf vegetable prized for its crunchy stems and tender leaves and can be found in most Southeast Asian cuisines. USES Chinese Morning Glory can be consumed raw or in cooked applications such as steaming, boiling, or stir-frying. Young shoots can be made into a salad and served with green papaya, but the fragile leaves need to be washed thoroughly before use. Chinese Morning Glory are commonly stir-fried in oil and served as a side dish or combined with other vegetables and meats to make a complete meal. They can also be used in curries, soups, and coated in a batter and fried to make a crispy appetizer. Chinese Morning Glory pair well with aromatics such as ginger, garlic, and onions, chili peppers, bay leaves, nam phrik, vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, peanut sauces, cuttlefish, and meats such as chicken, pork, and beef. They are highly perishable when fresh and will keep up to 1-2 days in the refrigerator. SEASONS Chinese Morning Glory is available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO Holy, or Sacred basil, is a stiff, leafy, perennial herb. The plant can reach up to 18 inches in height, and develops small pink, fragrant blossoms when mature. With thicker stems, ranging in color from green to a dark purple, Holy basil has a bushy appearance and can grow quite large. Holy basil's narrow, oval leaves range from a light green to deep purple color and are very aromatic. The taste does vary between types, however, it is often likened to cloves (anise) or licorice with a hint of mint and a bit of peppery spice. The pungent pink flowers are also edible. USES Holy basil in Thailand, it is a very popular culinary ingredient. Holy basil is an important ingredient in one of the more famous Thai street dishes, chicken with Holy basil or 'gai pad grapow'. In many Thai stir fry dishes, Holy basil is used as an aromatic with garlic, fish sauce and chilies to impart flavor into meat, fish, or chicken. Holy basil is best used fresh, as its leaves cannot maintain their aroma after a few days in the refrigerator. SEASONS Holy basil is available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO Sadao leaves are small to medium in size and are elongated and oval to lanceolate in shape. The green leaves are thin and tear easily and have a smooth texture. The edges of the leaf can vary with some jagged spots mixed with flat sides. The leaves grow on small, but thick stems and each stem can grow 5-15 leaflets. Sadao leaves are tender and have a very bitter taste. The sadao plant also bears fragrant white flowers that are edible and offer a bitter, green flavor when cooked. Sadao leaves are an excellent source of antioxidants such as rutin and quercetin. USES Sadao leaves are best suited for cooked applications such as boiling, sauteing or stir-frying. The young leaves are often parboiled or pickled and eaten as an accompaniment to other dishes. Sadao leaves are also traditionally served with Nam Pla Wan, which is a Thai dipping sauce that uses tamarind juice, fish sauce, dried chilis, shallots, and palm sugar. This sweet sauce helps cut the bitterness of the Sadao leaves to create a sweet and sour, savory combination. Sadao leaves pair well with meats such as chicken, pork, beef, and white fish, tomatoes, aromatics such as garlic, ginger, and onions, fish sauce, and other sweet dipping sauces. Sadao leaves will keep up to a week when stored fresh in the refrigerator. SEASON Young neem plant are available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO Jackfruit spread through the rest of India and on to South-east Asia. The tree is large and the fruit itself grows not at the tip of limbs but rather out of the trunk. The jackfruit is the largest tree-born fruit in the world. A single pod can reach a length of nearly a meter and weigh close to 40 kilograms. USES The Jackfruit bulbs can be eaten fresh, frozen, cooked or pureed. Younger Jackfruit is added to curries and can be roasted or baked and eaten as a vegetable. It is often shredded and used as a meat substitute. Riper Jackfruit bulbs are added to salads. Make jam or ice cream from pureed bulbs. Boiling Jackfruit bulbs in milk and then straining off the liquid will result in a custard-like consistency once it has cooled. Jackfruit can be dried and then fried in oil, salted and eaten like potato chips. Jackfruit seeds can be roasted and eaten like chestnuts or dried and ground into flour. Jackfruit does not keep well once it is ripe. Unused portions of prepared fruit can be refrigerated for a few days or frozen for a few weeks. Jackfruit is very nutrient-dense. It is a great source of fiber, protein and vitamin B. It also contains potassium, iron and calcium. The deep yellow-orange color of the Jackfruit bulbs is the result of phytonutrients like beta-carotene, giving the fruit powerful antioxidant properties. SEASON Jackfruits can be produced nearly all year round.

PRODUCT INFO Pandan leaves are medium to large in size and are elongated, narrow, and oblong in shape. There are two distinct Pandan plant shapes. If the plant is left undisturbed and the leaves are not harvested, it will develop into a small tree with large, long, and thin green leaves that can reach up to two meters in length. If the leaves are continuously harvested, the plant will stay low to the ground forming a shrub-like appearance with smaller, narrow green leaves growing up to one meter in length. The upright green leaves taper to a point at the tip, and when attached to their stems, Pandan leaves resemble the top of a pineapple plant. Pandan leaves have a unique and distinct grassy aroma when first crushed that mellows out to a subtle, herbal, and floral aroma. When cooked, Pandan leaves have a nutty, almond, rose-like, and slightly sweet flavor. Pandan leaves are rich in essential oils, glycosides, and alkaloids, and also contain traces of tannin and isoprene esters. They are traditionally used to reduce symptoms of pain and fevers and are used as a laxative. USES Pandan leaves are best suited for cooked applications such as boiling, steaming, sauteing and frying. They are used in both sweet and savory dishes and are boiled, pounded, bruised, or raked to bring out the flavor. Pandan leaves are often used to wrap meats or sticky rice and are cooked to add a sweet and nutty flavor. They are also wrapped and deep fried to create a crunchy exterior. In addition to savory preparations, Pandan leaves are also used to make desserts and drinks. They can be made into a paste with the juice extracted to make the well-known chiffon cake, and they can be cooked to make Kaya, or pandan-flavored coconut egg jam, which is a traditional Pandan dish still found today in Malaysia and Singapore. Pandan leaves can also be cooked with coconut to make nasi lemak rice or are tied into knots and used for flavoring. Pandan leaves pair well with turmeric, lemongrass, brown sugar, milk, meats such as fish, chicken, beef, and pork, and rice. They will keep for a couple of days when stored unwashed, wrapped in a damp paper towel and sealed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Pandan leaves can also be frozen for up to two months. SEASON Pandan leaves are available year-round.

Durian is a tropical fruit distinguished by its large size and spiky, hard outer shell. It has a smelly, custard-like flesh with large seeds. There are several varieties, but the most common one is Durio zibethinus. The fruit's flesh can range in color. It's most commonly yellow or pale yellow, but can also be red or green. Durian grows in tropical regions around the world, particularly in the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The most poppular variety for export is Monthong, Chanee, Kradum, Kanyao, Volcano and a few other. Frozen Peeled Durian use maturity / ripeness level to freeze at -18 degree celsius with this process the shelf life can be up to 2 years in the good condition. PRODUCT INFO Durian can be export as Whole Fresh Durian, size from 2-6kgs with at least 3 lobes to maximum 6 lobes. Depends on destinaton regulation on the chemical and pesticide restriction. Fresh Whole Durian can export both sea & air. The ripeness level is depending on transit time using for transport to destination plus shelf life for sell at destination. Durian can also be export as Peeled Fresh Durian in retail package. This is more convenient than Whole Fresh Durian which is sophisticated to whom that have less knowledge of how to notice the ripeness level (sotfness of the Durian meat). USES Durian can be consumed cooked or raw. It provides a distinctive taste to any dish and is often used in Asian cuisine to flavor ice cream, cakes, and other baked goods. Durian's outer shell must be removed before eating. Place durian stem side down on a sturdy counter. Then, slice into the spiny skin about 3â??4 inches deep. Use your hands to pull the skin apart and reveal the fruit. Durian is divided into pods. Each has a pit or a stone that should be removed prior to eating. SEASONS Durian can be produced all year round

PRODUCT INFO Melon Cucumber Laithai are used as fresh vegetables as well as cucumbers. It is commonly eaten fresh as a dipping vegetable. It tastes like cucumber but has a firmer texture (less water). It is also used in salads and curries as well as cucumbers. Including being able to pickle as a pickled melon as well, preferably pickled to have a sweet and slightly salty taste than pickled sour. USES Ripe Melon Cucumber Laithai are eaten in desserts or eaten as a fruit by blending melons into a drink. Thai melon blended or mixed with coconut milk. Besides making sweets Ripe melons can also be eaten directly like watermelons, but they are not as popular as watermelons because they are not as sweet. Including not as popular as melon (cantaloupe) because the taste is not as sweet and the meat is more messy.As usual, we usually eat melons cooked with coconut milk and called Thai melons. Or eat it with white sugar, it's delicious, but no matter how you eat it, melon has outstanding properties to treat disease. such as coughing from tuberculosis, constipation, and urinary tract infections, thus helping to alleviate such symptoms and diseases and have the opportunity to eventually recoverThe smell and taste of fresh Thai melon is also suitable for making Thai melon juice because it is easy to make, good smell and taste, beautiful color, high nutritional value. Because it is very high in vitamin A, it also contains a lot of vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, etc. Season Melon Cucumber Laithai produces a good yield during From July to September, Thai melons can be planted in all regions of Thailand.

Durian is a tropical fruit distinguished by its large size and spiky, hard outer shell. It has a smelly, custard-like flesh with large seeds. There are several varieties, but the most common one is Durio zibethinus. The fruit's flesh can range in color. It's most commonly yellow or pale yellow, but can also be red or green. Durian grows in tropical regions around the world, particularly in the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The most poppular variety for export is Monthong, Chanee, Kradum, Kanyao, Volcano and a few other. PRODUCT INFO Durian can be export as Whole Fresh Durian, size from 2-6kgs with at least 3 lobes to maximum 6 lobes. Depends on destinaton regulation on the chemical and pesticide restriction. Fresh Whole Durian can export both sea & air. The ripeness level is depending on transit time using for transport to destination plus shelf life for sell at destination. Durian can also be export as Peeled Fresh Durian in retail package. This is more convenient than Whole Fresh Durian which is sophisticated to whom that have less knowledge of how to notice the ripeness level (sotfness of the Durian meat). USES Durian can be consumed cooked or raw. It provides a distinctive taste to any dish and is often used in Asian cuisine to flavor ice cream, cakes, and other baked goods. Durian's outer shell must be removed before eating. Place durian stem side down on a sturdy counter. Then, slice into the spiny skin about 3-4 inches deep. Use your hands to pull the skin apart and reveal the fruit. Durian is divided into pods. Each has a pit or a stone that should be removed prior to eating. SEASONS Durian can be produced nearly all year round

PRODUCT INFO Cowslip Creeper flowers grow on long and slender, vining plants that bear dark green, heart-shaped leaves averaging 4 to 8 centimeters in diameter. The vines are tough, maturing from green to brown, and alongside each leaf node, a cluster of 10 to 20 flowers appear seasonally. Each flower averages 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter and bears five angular petals, forming a star shape. When young, the flowers are green, eventually developing a yellow-green hue at the base with solid yellow petals once the bud opens. The flowers also emit a strong and pleasant, citrus-like fragrance that is especially pungent in the evening when in bloom. Cowslip Creeper flowers are crisp, succulent, and tender with a mild, vegetal, subtly sweet, and earthy flavor. USES Cowslip Creeper flowers are a seasonal ingredient used in Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisine. The flowers can be consumed raw, incorporated into salads for added texture, or utilized as an edible garnish to decorate cakes, desserts, and main dishes. In addition to fresh preparations, Cowslip Creeper flowers can withstand cooking and readily absorb accompanying flavors, providing a mild earthiness and subtle crisp consistency to dishes. The flowers can be battered and fried, tossed into soups and curries, or stir-fried with oyster sauce. In Thailand, Cowslip Creeper flowers are popularly boiled and dipped in chile paste. In the Philippines, the flowers are cooked into a vegetable dish known as pinakbet and frequently mixed into omelets. Cowslip Creeper flowers pair well with noodles, rice, meats such as pork, beef, and fish, shrimp, eggs, tofu, aromatics such as garlic, ginger, and holy basil, pandan juice, coconut, and vegetables such as mushrooms, long beans, squash, eggplant, and mung beans. The flowers should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. SEASONS Cowslip Creeper flowers are available in the late spring through early fall.

Kaffir lime leaves are small to medium in size and oblong in shape, averaging 3-5 centimeters in diameter and 8-12 centimeters in length. The top of the thick leaves is glossy and deep green, while the underside of the leaves is porous and a pale, matte green. Kaffir lime leaves grow in pairs and grow in a double leaf formation, which means two leaves grow on either side of the stem and appear to mirror each other. There is a prominent central midrib or vein and the tips of the leaves can be slightly rounded or very pointed. Kaffir lime leaves have a strong citrus taste and aroma that is said to be a blend of mandarin orange, lemon, and lime. PRODUCT INFO Kaffir lime leaves, botanically classified as Citrus hystrix, grow on a thorny bush that can grow to be 1-10 meters in height and belong to the Rutaceae, or citrus family along with oranges, lemons, pomelos, and grapefruit. The kaffir lime plant is valued for its fragrant leaves and its fruit's peel and is popularly used in culinary and medicinal applications in Southeast Asia. Also known as the Kieffer lime, Bai Magrood, Thai lime, Limau Puru, and Makrut limes, Kaffir limes have been given new names in various cultures to respect and avoid the use of derogatory words. In South Africa, kaffir is an offensive slang word used in racist connotations, so many retailers have taken to calling the fruit by its scientific name, while others prefer the Thai word for the fruit, Makrut lime. USES Kaffir lime leaves can be used in both raw and cooked preparations such as boiling, steaming, and saut�?�©ing. They can be used fresh, dried, or from a frozen state and the thick leaves are never consumed whole, but rather steeped and later removed, or sliced very thinly. Kaffir lime leaves can be sliced and used in salads or shredded and used in fish cakes. They are also widely used in soups such as tom yum and hot and sour shrimp, curries, fried rice, pastes, and stir-fries. Their herbal citrus flavor can be used to infuse desserts such as custard and ice cream. Kaffir lime leaves pair well with lemongrass, basil, cardamom, curry leaves, mint, tamarind, turmeric, cumin, galangal, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, jasmine rice, meats such as lamb, chicken and pork, mussels, and coconut milk. They will keep up to two weeks when stored fresh in the refrigerator and up to one year when stored in a sealed container in the freezer. SEASONS Kaffir Lime Leaves is available year-round.

Kaffir lime leaves are small to medium in size and oblong in shape, averaging 3-5 centimeters in diameter and 8-12 centimeters in length. The top of the thick leaves is glossy and deep green, while the underside of the leaves is porous and a pale, matte green. Kaffir lime leaves grow in pairs and grow in a double leaf formation, which means two leaves grow on either side of the stem and appear to mirror each other. There is a prominent central midrib or vein and the tips of the leaves can be slightly rounded or very pointed. Kaffir lime leaves have a strong citrus taste and aroma that is said to be a blend of mandarin orange, lemon, and lime. PRODUCT INFO Kaffir lime leaves, botanically classified as Citrus hystrix, grow on a thorny bush that can grow to be 1-10 meters in height and belong to the Rutaceae, or citrus family along with oranges, lemons, pomelos, and grapefruit. The kaffir lime plant is valued for its fragrant leaves and its fruit's peel and is popularly used in culinary and medicinal applications in Southeast Asia. Also known as the Kieffer lime, Bai Magrood, Thai lime, Limau Puru, and Makrut limes, Kaffir limes have been given new names in various cultures to respect and avoid the use of derogatory words. In South Africa, kaffir is an offensive slang word used in racist connotations, so many retailers have taken to calling the fruit by its scientific name, while others prefer the Thai word for the fruit, Makrut lime. USES Kaffir lime leaves can be used in both raw and cooked preparations such as boiling, steaming. They can be used fresh, dried, or from a frozen state and the thick leaves are never consumed whole, but rather steeped and later removed, or sliced very thinly. Kaffir lime leaves can be sliced and used in salads or shredded and used in fish cakes. They are also widely used in soups such as tom yum and hot and sour shrimp, curries, fried rice, pastes, and stir-fries. Their herbal citrus flavor can be used to infuse desserts such as custard and ice cream. Kaffir lime leaves pair well with lemongrass, basil, cardamom, curry leaves, mint, tamarind, turmeric, cumin, galangal, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, jasmine rice, meats such as lamb, chicken and pork, mussels, and coconut milk. They will keep up to two weeks when stored fresh in the refrigerator and up to one year when stored in a sealed container in the freezer. SEASON Kaffir Lime Leaves is available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO Banana flowers have a starchy, fibrous consistency and a neutral, subtly bitter, and fruity flavor well suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The outer, dark-hued bracts should not be consumed, but they can be used as a decorative serving vessel. As each bract is removed, the small florets can be separated from their tough stamens and set aside for use with the flower's heart. Once the bracts have been peeled away to reveal a yellow-white hue, the heart can be sliced into pieces and incorporated into recipes. It is recommended to immerse slices of the Banana flower in salted lemon water or vinegar water for at least 20 to 30 minutes to extract some of the bitterness. Banana flowers can be added to fresh fruit and green salads, and younger flowers will have a sweeter flavor for raw preparations. They can also be minced into dips, dumplings, and pastes. USES Beyond fresh preparations, Banana flowers can be lightly steamed and served with dips, similar to an artichoke, boiled in coconut water and stir-fried, or incorporated into curries and soups. The flowers can also be fried into patties, soaked in flavoring, cooked like fish fillets, or sauteed into vegetable, rice, and noodle dishes. In Thailand, young Banana flowers are commonly served raw on the side with pad Thai. In Indonesian cuisine, Banana flowers are mixed with pork and hot sambal, cooked in a section of bamboo, and served as a festival or wake appetizer. In Brazil, Banana flowers are incorporated into pies, quiches, and cooked into various sweet and savory goods. There is also a famous pastry in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais known as pastel de agnu that has its own festival. The festival annually occurs in the city of Itabirito and features food vendors, local growers, restaurants, and arts and crafts vendors, all centered around the famous pastry of the region. Pastel de agnu is comprised of Banana flowers stewed with meat and then fried into a dough-like puff. Banana flowers pair well with spices such as turmeric, curry powder, mustard seeds, cumin, and chile powder, aromatics including garlic, shallots, onions, lemongrass, and galangal, coconut milk, macadamia nuts, lime leaves, papaya, and carrots. Whole, raw Banana flowers should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. The flowers can also be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator, or cut pieces can be placed in a sealed container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. In addition to fresh Banana flowers, the buds can also be found canned or frozen for extended use. SEASONS Banana flowers are found year-round, varying in availability depending on climate, region, and hemisphere.

PRODUCT INFO Kale is a non-heading, leafy form of wild cabbage that comes in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors, such as blue-green, yellow-green, white, red, or purple. Different cultivars are classified by differences in their stem length and their leaf structure, as some are flat and others are frilly. The standard Kale we usually find in the grocery store is pale to deep green with large, ruffle-edged leaves and long stems. It is hardy and fibrous when fully mature, and tender enough to be used as a raw salad green when young. The pale green stems are tough and typically removed, while the tightly curled leaves are chewy yet succulent. Depending on the variety, Kale can sometimes be spicy, other times a bit sweet, and usually slightly bitter. In general, Kale offers an earthy flavor with a nutty sweetness that is accentuated when cooked. USES Considering its many forms and stages of harvest, Kale is an incredibly versatile green in the kitchen, and can be used raw or cooked. Young Kale leaves add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, and fully mature Kale is one of the few leafy greens that doesn't shrink much when it's cooked. It's great sauteed, roasted, stewed, and even baked into Kale chips. Just be careful not to over-cook it, as it can develop a more bitter taste. Kale is also often added raw to smoothies, juices, and salads. To prep Kale for use, whether raw or cooked, first remove the tough and fibrous stems. A quick and dirty way to do it is to hold the stem in one hand and strip leaves along the stem away from you. You can also cut the leaves into thin, confetti-like ribbons. A quick massage can help the process of breaking up the cellulose structure of Kale. You can drizzle it with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, and rub the leaves together in your hands to get a slightly sweeter, much silkier Kale. This leafy green pairs well with garlic, onion, sesame, soy sauce, ginger, smoked or roasted meats, potatoes, grains, oregano, thyme, red pepper, cream, Parmesan cheese, and more. To store Kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week. SEASONS Kale is available year-round with a peak season in winter.