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 Watermelon (Tangmo) is a sweet and refreshing low calorie summer snack. It provides hydration and also essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Watermelon is around 90% water, which makes it useful for staying hydrated in the summer. It can also satisfy a sweet tooth with its natural sugars. Watermelon also contains antioxidants. These substances can help remove Trusted Source molecules known as free radicals, or reactive species, from the body. The body produces free radicals during natural processes, such as metabolism. They can also develop through smoking, air pollution, stress, and other environmental pressures. SEASON Water Melons are available year round.
PRODUCT INFO Chinese chives flower (Dok-Kui-Chai) is a biennial plant. in the same circle as the onion There is a rhizome underground. The rhizome is small and clumping, looks round, the stem is wrapped. With the surrounding leaf sheaths are green, the leaves are single, arranged alternately, the leaves look like garlic leaves. long flat leaves with parallel edges The base of the leaves is covered with interlacing interlaces. At the base of the stem, it is green with a spicy taste. strong odor bouquet looks like an umbrella round and then bloom There are small flowers on the stem. The flower stalks are long, round and stump. The petals are white, fragrant, the stem is green. has a sweet, crispy taste bring to cook There are many different menus. Thailand has many varieties planted. USES Help nourish milk Helps to treat gonorrhea, helps to nourish sex, helps to nourish the kidneys, helps to treat hives helps maintain bones help prevent cancer Help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. help prevent diabetes help treat diabetes Help cure tuberculosis, cure colds, help cure otitis media. Helps to cure nosebleeds, cure vomiting, cure diarrhea, cure flatulence, cure indigestion, help drive parasites, help heal hemorrhoids, cure gallstones, help cure urinary congestion, help disinfect, cure poisonous insect bites. help heal purulent wounds Helps heal black and green bruises, relieve pain, heal inflamed wounds, help build red blood cells Helps reduce intestinal inflammation Help prevent colon cancer. SEASONS Chinese chives flower is available year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Betel Leaves are medium to large in size and oblong to heart-shaped, averaging 7-15 centimeters in length and 5-11 centimeters in width. The dark green leaves are flat, broad, and pliable and have a smooth, but slightly leathery texture. There is also a central vein the runs the length of the leaf with many smaller veins branching throughout. Each Betel Leaves tapers to a point on the non-stem end and grows on climbing vines. Betel Leaves are chewy and have a sharp, tangy, and peppery taste.Betel Leaves are used primarily for their medicinal properties and as wrappings for other ingredients. They are most commonly used as a wrapper for the areca nut or tobacco and when chewed they impart a peppery flavor. The leaf is also chewed along with other barks and leaves such as sweetened coconut, lime, cardamom, anise seeds, licorice, and fruit preserves. USES Betel Leaves can also be found as a street snack with chocolate syrup poured over them or used as an edible garnish for other dishes. Paan leaves pair well with dried shrimp, coconut, mint, garlic, ginger, chiles, carrots, peanuts, chocolate, and lime. Betel Leaves will keep up to three days when unwashed and stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. SEASONS Betel Leaves are available year-round.
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 Fresh bamboo shoots vary from an inch up to seven inches wide at their base. They consist of several fibrous layers tightly bound and overlapping one another to form a conical point. Their color is plantain yellow with brown markings throughout. The bamboo shoot's flavor is mild and sweet, similar to that of baby corn. USES Fresh bamboo shoots must be cooked before eating as raw shoots are bitter and texturally hard to digest. The outer leaves are tough and will not be edible regardless of cooking, thus they should be removed prior to cooking. It is recommended to boil or steam for 20 minutes prior to actually utilizing them further. Bamboo shoots can be stir fried, grilled, roasted, marinated and pickled. SEASONS Fresh bamboo shoots are available throughout the year with a peak season from late Spring to early Summer.
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.
PRODUCT INFO ative to the Mediterranean region and cultivated over three thousand years, celery is a biennial, herbaceous plant of the Umbelliferae, botanically named Apium graveolens. A member of the carrot family and related to anise, parsley and parsnips, celery was first recorded as a food plant in France in 1623. Thai celery is hydroponically grown, with long, thin stalks and mature, full leaves. Similar in size to cilantro or parsley, baby celery has an intense celery flavor that is much stronger than that mature celery heads. The strong celery flavor is concentrated in the leaves, though the entire plant is edible. USES Thai celery is not typically used as a substitute for mature celery because the stalks are small and thin. Use celery leaves in pestos, sauces, soups, salads or as an herb. Pair with carrots, mushrooms, asian vegetables, citrus, tomatoes, garlic and onion. Baby celery stalks may be used as an aromatic or chopped and combined with the leaves in cooked preparations. Refrigerate baby celery, keeping dry and well wrapped until ready to use. Season Hydroponically grown baby celery is harvested year-round.
PRODUCT INFO Round and squat with a green yellow skin that is often speckled with brown spots. Extremely crispy and juicy these pears are prized not only for their texture but for their subtly sweet flavor as well. Asian pears are also non-climacteric, meaning they mostly won't continue to ripen after picking. USES The firm and crisp texture of Asian pears make them a popular addition to both fruit and green salads. Slice into sticks and serve with both sweet and savory dipping sauces. Try using with or as a substitute for apples in a pie or cake. Pair with aged gouda or your favorite cheese with bread or crackers for a quick and easy appetizer. Asian Pears are ripe at purchase, refrigerate to store. Season Asian Pears are available in the Fall.
PRODUCT INFO 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 (�º�?�¼�²�·, 'boat') and pogon (�?�?�³�?�½, 'beard') "which mean [that] in most species, the hairy spikelets project from boat-shaped spathes. USES 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. SEASON Lemongrass 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 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 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 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 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.
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.