PRODUCT INFO Banana leaves are large, wide, elongated, and slightly rounded, averaging two meters in length, a half a meter in width, and 8-12 leaves per tree. The surface of the leaves are waxy, flexible, and glossy, and range in color from lime, olive green, to dark green. There is a central midrib that runs the length of the leaf and two laminas, or leaf halves are found on either side of the midrib. The leaves do not have branching veins, and this makes them vulnerable to tearing easily. Banana plants also have a pseudostem, which is a false stem that looks like a trunk but is multiple fleshy leaf sheaths that are tightly overlapped. Banana leaves have a grassy and sweet, green flavor. USES In addition to culinary uses, Banana leaves have also been used in the Buddhist and Hindu religion as decorations and as bowls, plates, and offerings in special religious celebrations such as marriage ceremonies. They are also used in India and the Philippines to construct fences and thatched roofs and have even been used as umbrellas. SEASONS Banana leaves are available year-round.
SKU: 364115376135191 Green okra has a torpedo-shaped pod ranging in length of five to six inches when harvested mature. The pods are pale lime to lime green color, their exterior has furrowed lengthwise grooves. The skin can often be fuzzy to prickly, which can cause an allergic reaction to sensitive skin. The flesh bears a tender spongy membrane with many small white seeds. Okra is known less for its lean flavor and more for its sticky sap that creates the flesh's gelatinous texture. PRODUCT INFO Green Okra is a member of the mallow family along with cotton, cocoa and hibiscus. The okra plant produces broad oak-shaped leaves with bold yellow and white hibiscus-like blossoms. The fruits sprout in vertical patterns from the plant's stems. The sign of a plant flowering indicates fruits will develop quickly within 3-5 days. Young fruits must be harvested daily as the fruits are known to grow so fast you can almost see them growing in front of your eyes. One plant can produce up to 100 okra. Okra left on the stem too long will become tough and essentially unfit for use. Okra is grown for fresh-eating but it also has many other purposes. Okra plants are grown commercially for pickling and canning alone or as a canned soup ingredient, while the seeds are also harvested for making oil and in some cultures are ground and used as a coffee substitute or supplement. USES With okra, harvesting young tender fruits and knowledge of how to cook it are two key ingredients. Okra is historically not eaten alone, rather paired in a multitude of recipes alongside ingredients with bold, complex flavors and varying textures. Okra is most often used as a soup or stew ingredient, though its textures and flavors are truly enhanced when fried and grilled. Okra pairs well with basil, bacon, beet greens, butter, cream, garlic, ham, lemon, kale, onions, parsley, olive oil, pickled vegetables, chile peppers and peppercorns, paprika, tomatoes and turnips. SEASONS Okra is available year-round
Galangal rhizomes widely vary in size and shape and have a cylindrical, branched appearance with many shoots and bulbous knobs. The semi-smooth skin is light brown to tan, firm, hard, and is covered in darker brown rings. Underneath the woody skin, the flesh is pale yellow to ivory and is fibrous, dense, and aqueous with a spicy, floral aroma. Galangal is crisp and has a pungent, earthy, woodsy, and mustard-like flavor with subtle citrus undertones. PRODUCT INFO Galangal, botanically classified as Alpinia officinarum, is the underground rhizome of a tropical shrub that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. Also known as Siamese ginger and Thai ginger, there are two main species of Galangal known as Greater Galangal and Lesser Galangal, varying in size, shape, and taste, but both species are used to flavor culinary dishes. Galangal has been utilized for its medicinal properties in Asia for thousands of years and is predominately used today to flavor Southeast Asian cuisine. Galangal adds a warm, sweet, and pungent flavor to dishes, similar to ginger but stronger in flavor, and can be found in fresh, dried, and powdered form. USES Galangal is primarily used in Southeast Asian cooking, lightly crushed or pounded as an aromatic to add an earthy and pungent flavor. The rhizome can be thinly sliced and added to stir-fries, boiled into curries, cooked into satay, mixed in applesauce, lightly tossed into salads, or used to flavor soups such as tom kha gai, a Thai coconut soup, or samlor kor ko, which is a Cambodian vegetable soup. It can also be used in stews, rice, and noodle dishes. Galangal is often mixed into seafood dishes as it has a flavor that can mask fishiness and is also commonly boiled into a tea. The rhizome can be found fresh or in dried and powdered form, and when ground, the flavor becomes milder but earthier. Galangal root pairs well with meats such as poultry and fish, shellfish, garlic, onions, tamarind, chiles, lemongrass, bell peppers, and green onions. The fresh rhizome will keep 1-2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator, and ground Galangal will keep up to one year when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. SEASONS Galangal is 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. 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
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.
Fingerroot, also known as Chinese ginger, Chinese key, Chinese-keys is the low herb which creeps in soil. It has rhizomes which is thick, aromatic and yellow brown of size 5-30 x 0.5-2 cm in size. The petiole of the plant is hairless, grooved and 7-16 cm long. Leaves are lanceolate and erect in shape with pointed tip and smooth surface. The leaves have light green color of 5-11 cm wide. The flowers are pink to yellow to white which is tubular and 50-52 mm. It grows in lowland tropical regions. The flowering time occurs in January to February and April to June. It grows well in humid and hot climate. Fingerroot is native to Southeast Asia and China but also cultivated in India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. PRODUCT INFO Fingerroot is a medicinal as well as culinary herb also called Chinese ginger that is native to China and Southeast Asia. As the shape of rhizome resembles fingers, it has got named as fingerroot. It is known as krachai in Thai. This plant belongs to Zingiberaceae family. This plant is either perennial or biennial that has tall leaves and pink to purple flowers. USES Fingerroot is a vital ingredient used in many Asian countries and also used as a condiment in food. Traditionally it is used for the treatment of various illnesses as a tonic for childbirth, preventive remedy for leucorrhea and beauty aid for teenage girls. Rhizomes are used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Leaves are used for alleviating poisoning and allergies. It is also used to cure infections. The study shows that the isolated bioactive compounds found in fingerroot helps to treat various diseases. It is used to accelerate the development of stronger drugs to counteract diseases in future. SEASONS Finger root is available year-round.
Lemongrass also known as lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, Cochin grass, Malabar grass, oily heads or fever grass, is a genus of Asian, African, Australian, and tropical island plants in the grass family. Some species (particularly Cymbopogon citratus) are commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that of lemons (Citrus limon). The name cymbopogon derives from the Greek words kymbe and pogon "which mean [that] in most species, the hairy spikelets project from boat-shaped spathes." PRODUCT INFO If using fresh lemongrass, use only the lower bulbous portion of the stem. It can be pounded and used whole or cut in slices. When using the ground powder (sereh) use one teaspoon as an equal to one stalk of fresh. It is advisable to soak dried sliced lemon grass for two hours before using. When wrapped in a paper bag, lemon grass stems can last 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. The stems can also be frozen for several months. Always wrap and store separately, as lemon grass will impart its flavour to other foods. USES The stalks (leaf bases) of the plant are commonly used to flavor dishes in Southeast Asian cooking. The heart of young shoots may be cooked and consumed as a vegetable. The tougher leaves are used to flavor dishes but are typically removed before serving. Leaves may also be used to make lemon grass tea. The essential oil extracted from the leaves is commonly used in insect repellents, perfumes and soaps. SEASONS Lemongrass is 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.
SKU: 364215375135191 Turmeric is the rhizome, or root stem, of a tropical blade-leafed plant. The rhizome has an abstract finger-like shape with a rough skin marked with knobs and rings. Turmeric rhizomes often grow up to 3-4 inches long and one-half to one inch in diameter. Its skin's color is a combination of pale earth and orange. The flesh is a vibrant carrot orange color and its flavor warm and peppery with very distinct bitter undertones. It is most often boiled and then dried for powdered form, in which it turns its trademark color. PRODUCT INFO Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, is a tropical flowering perennial that falls within the same family as ginger and is one of two rhizomes with an appearance similar to the spicy root. It's cultivated and harvested for its roots, though its leaves are also used in some cultures. USES Fresh Turmeric's gentle carrot/ginger-like flavor lends itself well to both sweet and savory applications. It adds freshness to curries and soups, and can be pickled or fried. Its vibrant color is a wonderful addition to any dish, but can also stain clothing and porous surfaces. SEASONS Turmeric is available year-round
Guavas - The fruit is roughly spherical with a furrowed smooth surface. The most alluring element of a Guava is its fragrance, a bouquet of bright tropical aromatics. The flesh is unique to many fruits, its texture a combination of a firm banana with the succulence of an apple. Tiny edible seeds pattern the flesh's core. The flavor of Guava is a reflection of its aromatics, though more subtle with notes of pineapple, papaya, banana and lemon. PRODUCT INFO Guavas variety for export from Thailand is Kimju and Pan Si Thong. Wrap with foam net to protect its skin and might wrap again by plastic shrink film. It can also pack on tray for 500g or 1000g depends on the size of Guavas. USES Although Guava is a fruit, its culinary uses are nearly unlimited. Guava can be eaten whole for simple fresh eaten. They may be used for applications both sweet and savory, fresh, cooked, hot and cold. SEASONS Guava can be produced nearly all year round
The kaffir lime tree is native to tropical Southeast Asia and was spread to neighboring regions via exporters and trade routes. Today Kaffir lime leaves are available in fresh markets and frozen in specialty grocers in Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, the United States. PRODUCT INFO Kaffir limes are widely used in Thailand as a household ingredient. Essential oils are extracted from the fruit's peel and are used for cleaning products, shampoos, and as a method to kill lice. The fruit's zest is used to flavor curries and soups, and the leaves are also crushed and used as potpourri or placed in a hot bath for a citrus aroma. Kaffir lime plants are so common and frequently used in Thailand that the majority of rural households have their own trees growing in their backyards. 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. USES Kaffir lime leaves contain some antioxidants. They also contain limonene and citronella, which both contribute to the flavor and fragrance of the leaves and have been shown to have antimicrobial properties. 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. SEASON Kaffir Lime Leaves is available year-round.
Ginger is frequently used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine as a warming element to reduce symptoms associated with nausea, indigestion, and muscle pain. The rhizome can be used fresh or dried and is also pressed into an essential oil for topical use. Ginger is made into an herbal tea in the Philippines called salabat, which is consumed to relieve nausea and to ward off flu and colds. Dried Split Ginger can be kept up to 24 months from manufactured date under good condition.
Ginger is an agricultural commodity which Thailand has the production potential. Mature ginger means rhizome of the harvested ginger at the age between 10-12 months after planting. Underneath the skin, the flesh is firm, fibrous, and ranges in color from yellow to brown. The rhizome is also highly fragrant with a warm, woody scent. When fresh, Ginger is juicy and crunchy with a pungent, spicy, and slightly sweet taste. Frozen Ginger can be kept up to 24 months from manufactured date under good condition.
PRODUCT INFO Young pepper (Prik Thai On) (scientific name: Piper nigrum) is a plant recognized as the king of pungent spices. and is a spice that gives it a spicy flavor Can be used to make dried pepper as a condiment. If the whole husk is dried, black pepper will be obtained because the rind will be black when dried. The white pepper is obtained by peeling off the bark first. It was found that both dried and fresh fruits were used for cooking. or dried and ground into a powder called ground pepper which pepper is a different plant species from chili (Chilli). USES In Asia, we use pepper in all its stages of development. Sprigs of very aromatic, young green berries appear in stir-fried dishes, curries, soups and dipping sauces. As pepper berries mature, they change from light green to dark green and then begin to turn red. Picked before fully matured, the peppercorns are dried, the outer peel turning black and shriveled, and this is the form most popular in the west. Fully ripened red berries are allowed to ferment briefly in a warm place, then their peel is rubbed off, revealing irregularly white seeds. For a refreshingly aromatic peppery taste, grind your own pepper when you need it. Use a pepper mill, mortar and pestle, or if you are grinding a large amount, a clean coffee grinder designated solely for grinding dry spices. Pre-ground pepper loses aroma and flavor over time. SEASONS Young peppercorn will bloom in May during the harvest season. will be around January.
Turmeric is the rhizome, or root stem, of a tropical blade-leafed plant. The rhizome has an abstract finger-like shape with a rough skin marked with knobs and rings. Turmeric rhizomes often grow up to 3-4 inches long and one-half to one inch in diameter. Its skin's color is a combination of pale earth and orange. The flesh is a vibrant carrot orange color and its flavor warm and peppery with very distinct bitter undertones. It is most often boiled and then dried for powdered form, in which it turns its trademark color. PRODUCT INFO Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, is a tropical flowering perennial that falls within the same family as ginger and is one of two rhizomes with an appearance similar to the spicy root. It's cultivated and harvested for its roots, though its leaves are also used in some cultures. USES Fresh Turmeric's gentle carrot/ginger-like flavor lends itself well to both sweet and savory applications. It adds freshness to curries and soups, and can be pickled or fried. Its vibrant color is a wonderful addition to any dish, but can also stain clothing and porous surfaces. SEASON Turmeric is available year-round
PRODUCT INFO Cha-om, a tropical member of the acacia family (Acacia pennata) native to mainland Southeast Asia, is a well-loved herby vegetable among Thais, Cambodians and Laotians. The parts that are eaten are the ferny young leaf shoots and tender tips before the stems turn tough and thorny. It has a particular fragrance that may seem unpleasant at first to the unaccustomed, but when it's cooked up, it's so tasty that most people can't stop eating it and the aroma is just part of the package and soon becomes quite likable. USES The most common way cha-om is cooked is with beaten eggs, like in an omelette, which is then cut into squares or rectangles to serve with pungent nahm prik (hot chilli sauces, usually with fermented shrimp paste - nahm prik kapi in Thai) and fried fish (usually Asian mackerel, or pla too). SEASONS Cha-om is available year-round.
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 Thai garlic (Kratiem) produces petite bulbs with six to eight cloves that grow surrounding the central scape. The outer wrappers are tight and firm with many beige layers varying with stripes and flushing of purple and tan. The inner wrappers are a dusty rose, and these encase the creamy ivory cloves. Thai garlic has a bold, pungent flavor with an aroma equally strong. The fiery flavor increases in intensity after the initial taste and will linger on the palate. When cooked, the heat will mellow to a medium spice. SEASON Thai garlic are available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Thai Shallots are small in size and are oblong in shape with a rounded center tapering to pointed, slightly curved ends. The bulbs are encased in dry, papery, thin bright red skin that easily flakes when touched. Inside the skin, there are clusters of 2-3 cloves of individually wrapped segments similar to garlic, and the firm, dense, and juicy cloves are pale white, almost translucent, with red-purple rings. Thai Shallots are aromatic, pungent, sweet, and crisp when raw and when cooked, they develop a sweet, savory flavor with notes similar to garlic. SEASON Red Shallots are available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Sesban Flower (Dok Khae) are oblong-shaped, pendulous blooms. They are similar in shape to pea flowers, bearing an upright standard petal a curved, boat-shaped keel; and wing petals that spread out from the flower. Each flower is quite large, growing to 7 to 10 centimers long. They are showy blooms, and have white, pink or red petals, depending on the variety. However, the white flowers are preferred for eating. The flowers are rich in sugar, and taste sweet at first bite. They also have an intriguing mushroom-y umami flavour, along with a slight bitter aftertaste. SEASONS Sesban Flower (Dok Khae) are available year-round.
