PRODUCT INFO The lychee fruit has a sweet, aromatic taste to it. Some people say it tastes like a grape with a hint of rose, while others claim it tastes more like a pear or watermelon. The combination of sweet and tart means the lychee pairs well with other tropical flavors. SEASON Lychee are available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Originating in SE Asia, this sweet and juicy fruit is a little like passion fruit in texture, and is recognizable from its pale yellowy-brown skin and smokey white flesh. SEASON Long Kong is availble between July - September/ October.
PRODUCT INFO The rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae. The name also refers to the edible fruit produced by this tree. The rambutan is native to Southeast Asia. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the lychee, longan, pulasan, and mamoncillo. The fruit is related to the lychee and longan fruits and has a similar appearance when peeled. Its translucent white flesh has a sweet yet creamy taste and contains a seed in its middle.Rambutan is very nutritious and may offer health benefits ranging from weight loss and better digestion to increased resistance to infections. SEASON Rambutan is available between Apr - Jul/Aug.
PRODUCT INFO Pomelo it's the largest and among the sweetest of the citrus fruits, with a thick rind and few seeds. Pomelos vary in color, from dark green to pale yellow. The inner fruit ranges in color from white to orange to pink, and can be eaten fresh or used as a finishing element in both sweet and savory dishes. SEASON Pomelos is available between Aug - Nov.
PRODUCT INFO Kra Thon, Katon, the santol, sentul or cotton fruit, is a tropical fruit native to maritime Southeast Asia. Santol fruit, botanically classified as Sandoricum koetjape, is one of two edible fruits found in the Meliaceae, or Mahogany family. The fleshy fruits are known for their sweet and sour flavor and are widely cultivated throughout tropical lowlands in Southeast Asia, sold in fresh markets as a raw snack. SEASON Santol is availble between Apr - Jul/Aug.
PRODUCT INFO Mangosteens are a delicious treat often referred to as the "Queen of Fruit." They're about the size of a tangerine, and they have a thick purple shell which contains the soft, white edible fruit inside. Mangosteen is a must-eat fruit in Thailand! The flavor is a combination of strawberry, peach and vanilla ice cream. The white flesh is very sweet with a very slight tartness. The tartness is caused by the thick skin that tightly encases the fruit. Mangosteen is known in Thailand as the a 'queen of fruits' due to its extensive health benefits. SEASON Mangosteen is availble between Apr/May - September.
PRODUCT INFO Madan Fruit avant-garde Madan fruit is high in vitamin C, beta-carotene, as well as important minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc. Madan fruits are very rich in vitamin A and calcium. Since the fruits taste quite sour, so it is not easy to eat these fresh. So these are used in side dishes, salads and made into sauces. The fruit of madan is also processed to make preserved fruit in syrup, pickled fruit and dried fruit. Fermented fruit is stuffed with minced pork to make a soup, or it can be made into a sweet. SEASON Madan will produce a yield for about 2-3 years, will produce and have offspring according to species.
PRODUCT INFO The Salacca (Salak) is a crunchy fruit that has a taste that combines the flavours of apple, banana, and pineapple. It is a good source of antioxidants that cannot be matched by other tropical fruits. SEASON The Salacca (Salak) is available nearly year round.
PRODUCT INFO You can eat jujube fruit raw. Small, circle or oval shaped, raw fresh jujubes are extremely rare to find locally grown. Green when they're immature, they become yellow-green with red-brown spots as they ripen and the fully mature fruit is entirely red. But you can enjoy eating them anytime from yellow-green to full red, however, the redder they are the sweeter they'll be. Crisp and sweet, they have a texture reminiscent of an apple. SEASON Jujube is available between Jan - Mar.
PRODUCT INFO Langsat fruits are small to medium in size, averaging 3-7 centimeters in diameter, and are round to slightly oval in shape, growing in large clusters of approximately ten fruits. The thick rind is hard, leathery, and tan to pale yellow, developing brown spots and blemishes as the fruit matures. The rind is also covered in fine hairs giving the fruit a fuzzy appearance. Underneath the surface, there is a white, spongy, and very bitter layer that is easily separated and peeled, and the flesh is thick, translucent-white, and is typically divided into 1-5 segments. These segments are juicy, tender, and soft with a texture similar to grapes, and the flesh may be seedless or contain a few bitter seeds. Langsat fruits are very sour when young, but as they mature, the fruits develop a sweet-tart flavor with light acidity, reminiscent of grapefruit and pomelo. Langsat is an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, and E, fiber, and also contains some iron, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. USES Langsat is best suited for raw applications as its sweet and tangy flavor is showcased when consumed fresh, out-of-hand. The rind is easily peeled and removed from the flesh, and the segments can be consumed whole, discarding the small bitter seed. Langsat can be served as a snack or as a fresh dessert. It is also commonly segmented and mixed into fruit salads, green salads, juiced or blended into fruit drinks, or coated in syrups for a sweeter flavor to add to ice cream, desserts, and pastries. In addition to fresh preparations, Langsat can be combined into sauces, jams, and jellies for a sweet-tart preserve. Duku pairs well with other tropical fruits such as snake fruit, lychee, and rambutan, mint, basil, and cilantro. The fruits will keep for 3-4 days at room temperature and up to one week when stored in the refrigerator. SEASON Langsat fruits are available year-round in Southeast Asia, with a peak season in the fall through early winter.
PRODUCT INFO Sapodilla (Lamood) has sweet taste. Some varieties of sapodilla have a slight taste of caramel. The flesh is juicy and rather tender, its consistence reminds of a kiwi (that part that has no seeds) or of a peach that is not too juicy. Sapodilla has no specific aroma. USES The only edible thing about sapodilla fruit is its flesh - seeds and skin are inedible. That's why sapodilla is often sold being peeled and cut. If you have bought whole fruit, the quickest and easiest way is to cut sapodilla in segments (like one does it with unpeeled orange or melon), take all seeds out and eat the flesh until you reach the skin. Also you can peel sapodila first (like one does it with potatoes) SEASON The Sapodilla is available between Sep - Dec.
PRODUCT INFO Star fruit is a sweet and sour fruit that has the shape of a five-point star. The skin is edible and the flesh has a mild, sour flavor that makes it popular in a number of dishes. The star fruit is yellow or green in color. It comes in two main types: a smaller, sour variety and a larger, sweeter one. USES The entire fruit is edible, usually raw, and may be cooked or made into relishes, preserves, garnish, and juices. SEASON Star Fruit is available between July - Nov each year.
PRODUCT INFO Yam Bean is a legume. The appearance of the yam tree is a creeping vine. The plump head extends from the taproot. solid conan Square shape, flattened, 1 yam, with only one head. The part used to eat is the tapioca root. USES The head of the yam bean part used for eating Appearance is light brown, inside is white. When chewed, it feels crispy like a fresh pear fruit. It also has a flour-like flavor but is sweet. It is generally eaten fresh. or dipped in salt and pepper It can also be used to cook both savory and sweet dishes as well, such as kaeng som, wild curry, sweet and sour stir-fry, and egg stir-fry. It is a mixture of steamed buns. and Ruby Krob. SEASON Yam beans are available year-round.
Young Coconut
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
