PRODUCT INFO Lao dill is a perennial or annual herb (depending on variety) that is known for its wispy, fernlike leaves and flavorful tang and is now widely cultivated in Asia. It is known as an aromatic herb whose seeds and leaves are used in both cooking and preserving foods. Dill seeds are more strongly flavored then leaves and have been traditionally used in pickling and curing. In many cuisines worldwide, its sweet and delicately flavored leaves are used in cooking and baking, often paired most often with fish. USES Lao dill is used heavily in Lao cuisine, added as a spice to fish dishes and soups, and so we are seeing more fresh locally grown dill in the farmers markets! SEASONS Lao Dill is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Parsley, or garden parsley is widely cultivated as a herb, and a vegetable. used in European, Middle Eastern, and American cuisine. Curly leaf parsley is often used as a garnish. In central Europe, eastern Europe, and southern Europe, as well as in western Asia, many dishes are served with fresh green chopped parsley sprinkled on top. Flat leaf parsley is similar, but it is easier to cultivate, some say it has a stronger flavor. Root parsley is very common in central, eastern, and southern European cuisines, where it is used as a snack or a vegetable in many soups, stews, and casseroles. SEASON Parsley is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Chinese Chive Leaves present a straw-like stem. It is tubular, have onion taste and a subtle taste of garlic, hollow and dark green with pointy end. Each stem can grow up to 20 inches (half a meter). Moreover, such stems are of a lighter green than its onion counterpart. The flowers are really small and altogether creates a spherical bunch at the top. Each tiny flower has 6 petals, and it is pink/purple. USES You'll mainly use the leaves of your Chinese chives, but if you don't cut too much, the plants will produce edible flowers too. Since they're perennial, you'll get harvests for years to come. Eat the leaves fresh, or add them to your cooking for a light garlic flavour. The clump-forming plants are quite attractive, so this perennial will look good in your flower garden too! And unlike many other edibles. SEASON Chinese Chive are available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO The Asiatic pennywort is a sleek, herbaceous plant. It is widespread throughout tropical and subtropical countries worldwide - Madagascar, Vietnam, India, China and Africa. It prefers wet to marshy sites, up to an altitude of 700 meters. In Thailand a refreshing drink is made from the slightly bitter tasting leaves and stems the juice is diluted with water and some sugar can be added. Mostly the whole plant is eaten as a vegetable, cooked or raw, with Jeo or Paa Dek. Phak Nok has multiple medicinal applications, being used to treat fever and constipation, to purify the blood, and to cure nervous conditions. USES The plant's leaves are used against skin complaints and it has a considerable reputation for treating ulcers, eczema, hepatitis, cancer and leprosy. Phak Nok is said to be 'good for the eyes' and for hair growth and is also used psychologically to treat epilepsy, senility and the mentally retarded. SEASONS Asiatic pennywort is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Coriander Root (Rak Phak Chi) is the root of the herb coriander, which is sometimes called cilantro. While many English-speaking countries discard the roots, they form an important part of many Asian cuisines. Coriander root is the fresh roots of the herb. Ground coriander is a mellow spice with a subtle, slightly earthy hint. Coriander root tastes more pungent and peppery and has a strong, pleasant aroma. In Thai food, coriander root is used as a critical component in many curry pastes and dips. Thais often crush coriander root in a pestle and mortar along with garlic and chilis to form the basis of chili dips. SEASON Coriander root is available year-round. USES The root is also a vitally important ingredient for creating the famous marinade that characterizes Thai grilled chicken. Thais are very against letting good food go to waste, and they quickly recognized that the roots taste great when they form the base of famous curry pastes, soups, dips, and marinades. SEASONS Coriander root is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Hairy Basil leaves are small to medium in size, averaging five centimeters in length, and have an elliptical to elongated, oval shape tapering to a distinct point on the non-stem end. The leaves are smooth, flat, and green, containing some veining across the surface with lightly serrated edges. The leaves also grow in pairs on either side of the square, fuzzy stalks, and have a crisp and succulent consistency with a sweet, citrus-forward aroma. Hairy Basil has a unique herbal, sweet, and tangy flavor with notes of lemon mixed with anise. In the late summer, the plants also produce lemon-scented, small white flowers that bloom on long, light green bracts. SEASONS Hairy Basil is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Pineapple (Supparod) is an incredibly delicious, healthy tropical fruit. It's packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and other helpful compounds, such as enzymes that can protect against inflammation and disease. It's commonly eaten baked, grilled, or freshly cut. USES Pineapple and its compounds are linked to several health benefits, including improvements in digestion, immunity, and recovery from surgery. SEASON Pineapple is available between April - June / December - January.
PRODUCT INFO Sweet Mango is hands down the most popular fruit in Thailand. It is grown and eaten everywhere. Thai people will eat Sweet Green Mango on its own, as a snack fruit, although they usually prefer to eat unripe or bitter Mango this way. Predominantly Green Sweet Mango are used as a cooking ingredient. Sweet Mangoes are extremely healthy to eat, they contain far less sugar content than a ripe mango does, and they are also high in fibre. SEASON The peak season for this fruit remains Thailand's "hot season" between March to May.
PRODUCT INFO Red Chilli is a fruit which belongs to Capsicum genus. It has many varieties which are differentiated on its pungency measured on Scoville Scale. Chilli fruit when ripened and dried becomes red chilli, which is further grounded to form red chilli powder. These are categorized as hot pepper. Red chilli became famous all around the world because of its characteristics like pungency, taste and flavor matched black pepper, which was very expensive during old times and thus it became one of the most important and integral spices. SEASONS Red Chili is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO People use cilantro as a flavorsome addition to soups, salads, curries, and other dishes. In some parts of the world, cilantro refers to the leaves, and coriander refers to the seeds. Its nutritional content may provide a range of health benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants. Using cilantro to flavor food may encourage people to use less salt and reduce their sodium intake. All parts of the plant are edible, but people most commonly use the fresh leaves and dried seeds in cooking. SEASONS Coriander is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO With their attractive brightly coloured, smooth, shiny skins, chillies range from mildly hot to scorchingly fiery. Popular as an everyday ingredient in a variety of cuisines, including Thai, Indian, Mexican and Chinese, chillies can add just a subtle flavour or a real kick to a wide selection of savoury dishes. As a general rule the smaller the chilli the hotter it is but the colour is no guide to heat. SEASONS Mixed Chili are available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Leeks look like scallions (or green onions), but they're a lot larger. And their mild flavor and ease of preparation make the vegetable a favorite addition to soups, stews, pastas and more. Generally, the taste of leeks can be described as a mild onion that is slightly sweet. The younger the leek, the more delicate its flavor and texture. These are preferred for raw preparations.are a bulbous vegetable with white flesh and leafy green tops. The bulb, however, is not round, but just slightly larger than the stem nearest the roots. The more rounded the bulb, the older the leek. SEASONS Leeks are available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO There are many different varieties of Cucumbers that can be divided into two different groups: pickling and slicing. Pickling cucumbers are smaller, can be oblong and short to long and cylindrical, and have thin, green skin which is ideal for pickling. Slicing cucumbers are large and cylindrical, averaging 15-20 centimeters in length, and have thick skin. The skin can be smooth or ribbed with small bumps and nodes depending on the variety. Slicing cucumbers are most commonly seen in the local market's produce section and can range in color from dark green, to yellow or white. The inner flesh is light green with pale, edible seeds and has a crisp, aqueous texture and mild floral and grassy flavor. USES Cucumbers are commonly consumed raw. Slice cucumbers and add to salads or a crudite plate. Marinate Cucumbers in oil, vinegar, and spices and serve with sugar snap peas and mint leaves. Shred Cucumber into a cheesecloth and squeeze to remove as much moisture as possible and then mix with yogurt and dill for a tatziki sauce. It can also be sliced lengthwise, diced, and added to quinoa or bulgur wheat salad. Cucumbers pair well with mint, dill, tuna fish, chicken salad, tomatoes, green peppers, and onions. Cucumbers will keep for a few days when stored in the refrigerator. If only a portion of the Cucumber is used, wrap the remaining piece tightly in plastic and store in the refrigerator to prevent dehydration. SEASONS Cucumbers are available year-round.
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 Pea eggplant are small and round, about the size of a pea and one centimeter in diameter. These tiny fruits are arranged in clusters of ten to fifteen bunched together in a fashion similar to grapes and as the fruits ripen their thin skin will turn from light green to yellow. The fruits grow on shrubs that can reach up to sixteen feet in height. The stems and leaves of the pea eggplant are covered in fine hairs, and small hooked thorns and the flowers of the plant are most often white. Each fruit can contain up to two hundred tiny, flat, brown, and edible seeds. pea eggplant range in flavor from bitter to tart when raw, and their texture is exceptionally crunchy. Once cooked they will take on a soft quality and the bitter flavor is minimized. USES Pea eggplant are used in both raw and cooked preparations. When fresh they are popularly used in nam prik kapee, a chili and shrimp paste blend commonly made in Thailand. They can also be pickled, dried, or served raw with dipping sauces. Pea eggplant can be grilled, braised, added to curries, soups, and stews, or tossed whole or chopped into stir-fries. To cut the bitterness, Pea eggplant can be boiled briefly before use. Pea eggplant pair well with mint, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, curry paste, rice, yams, and meats such as poultry and beef. Pea eggplant will keep up to three days when stored in a cool and dry place. SEASONS Pea eggplants are available year-round with peak season during the summer months.
PRODUCT INFO Ivy gourd is a local vegetable with very high nutritional value. and what you see will be pleasing A health lover for sure is that ivy gourds contain beta-carotene. that reduces the rate risk of developing cancer and ischemic heart disease also provide calcium as well For those who have problems driving It's worth trying to eat because gourds contain fiber that helps the digestive system work well. Young shoots and young leaves of ivy gourds It is blanched and steamed as a dipping sauce with chili paste and used to cook as curry, vegetable soup. Some local villagers bring the young fruit of ivy gourds to pickle and eat it with chili paste or cook it as a curry. The young shoots of ivy gourds are a popular vegetable that Thai people eat. Available in fresh markets in every region of Thailand. USES The ivy gourds are also useful as follows: leaves, quenching heat poisoning, neutralizing fever, relieving heat, quenching boils, relieving burning pain, relieving itching, flowers, relieving itching, seeds, pounding mixed with coconut oil to cure scabies, vines, use the juice from the vine to drop the eyes to cure hay fever, red eyes, bruised eyes, watery eyes, eye inflammation. Detoxification, anti-inflammatory, brew with dizzy glass drinking water, roots, quench all poisons, cure blemish eyes, reduce fever, cure vomiting, latex, stem, leaf, root Cure diabetes, headache, eliminate all toxins SEASON Ivy gourd is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Big Cucumber, fruit length 15 cm or more, fruit width more than 2.5 cm, thick flesh, small intestine. For varieties in Thailand, the bark is green to dark green. especially the part near the fruit pole and the end of the fruit has a light green or white dot There is a white stripe that extends to the tip of the fruit. foreign species The result will be a uniform dark green color. USES Big cucumbers are commonly consumed raw. Slice cucumbers and add to salads or a crudite plate. Marinate Cucumbers in oil, vinegar, and spices and serve with sugar snap peas and mint leaves. Shred big cucumbers into a cheesecloth and squeeze to remove as much moisture as possible and then mix with yogurt and dill for a tatziki sauce. It can also be sliced lengthwise, diced, and added to quinoa or bulgur wheat salad. Big cucumbers pair well with mint, dill, tuna fish, chicken salad, tomatoes, green peppers, and onions. Big cucumbers will keep for a few days when stored in the refrigerator. If only a portion of the Big cucumbers is used, wrap the remaining piece tightly in plastic and store in the refrigerator to prevent dehydration. SEASONS Big cucumbers are available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Purple eggplants are long and thin, averaging 15-20 centimeters in length and 5 centimeters in diameter. These fruits can be crooked or straight, and its thin outer skin ranges from violet to bright purple. The inner flesh is cotton white, semi-firm, and nearly seedless. Purple eggplants have a mild and sweet flavor without the bitterness associated with eggplant. USES Purple eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as braising, stir-frying, sauteing and grilling. Their tender flesh cooks quicker than most Purple eggplant varieties, and its flavor and texture will be at its peak when baked. Stir-frying Purple eggplant is the most popular preparation method as the eggplant has a meaty and flavorful texture. Purple eggplant holds up well to spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. Complimentary ingredients include cumin, garlic, ginger, cilantro, fermented beans, chilies, soy sauce, vinegar, mushrooms, onions, sesame oil, chicken, pork, chickpeas, lentils, hardy greens, and summer vegetables such as tomatoes and squashes. Purple eggplant will keep up to one week when stored in a cool and dry place. SEASON Purple Eggplant is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO White eggplants are slightly curved and oblong, averaging 10-17 centimeters in length. The outer skin is smooth and bright white with one bulbous end that tapers slightly to a green calyx. The cream-colored inner flesh is dense with many, edible white seeds. When cooked, White eggplants are creamy and mild with a light sweet flavor. USES White eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as sauteing pan-frying, deep-frying, grilling, and baking. Their skins are firmer than purple varieties and should be peeled before cooking. They can be sliced and grilled, used in stir-fries, or sauteing with other vegetables as a side dish. They can also be sliced and used as a substitute for meat in pasta dishes such as parmigiana bianca. White eggplants pair well with chilies, tomatoes, squash, stewed meats, grilled and baked fish, chicken, chickpeas, lentils, herbs such as basil, mint, cilantro, and parsley, cheeses such as fresh cow's milk, parmesan, and aged sheep's cheese, miso, ginger, yuzu, garlic, and allspice. White eggplants will keep up to three days when stored in a cool and dry place. SEASONS White eggplants are available during the summer months.