Thai Seasonal Ingredients: October

A cool wind blows, carrying moisture and the scent of distant rain. Sometimes, that breeze also brings the cold of winter, the sound of a train, or the warm aroma of roasted sweet potatoes. In this late rainy, early cold season, it's not unusual for your body to feel a bit run down from the accumulated fatigue of the year and the changing winds that don't always bring only good things.

If your body or mind is currently tapping your shoulder with a tired smile and saying, “Just a little break, please…” that doesn't mean you are weak. It means you have enough strength and great love to care for yourself when you need it most. If you choose to listen to that voice from within, we’d like to introduce you to the seasonal ingredients of Thailand in October… to let the simple, delicious voice of this season soothe your heart.

Taro A soft and tender root vegetable, taro is a great source of complex carbohydrates and satisfying fiber that keeps you feeling full. Taro has been a staple of human civilization for a long time, and is one of the oldest cultivated plants. The soft, creamy texture of taro that our grandparents steamed for a snack, the fried taro our parents bought for us as a child, and the soft, chewy taro dango in a trendy purple drink—all are the taste of satisfaction and a daily smile, passing through time to your very meal.

Sweet Potato A simple deliciousness that needs no complex preparation. Just a slow and mindful bake is enough to make sweet potatoes overflow with flavor. They are truly the taste of warmth in a cool breeze. Sweet potatoes are a dessert rich in fiber and vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, making them perfect for those who want a healthy, fat-free, and comforting food. We want you to think of the warmth of a baked sweet potato in your hands and the gentle steam that rises into the air. That moment of blowing on the hot potato to cool it down, and tasting the soft sweetness that warms your mouth and your heart, is a simple joy perfect for this season.

Pumpkin Pumpkin is a fantastic ingredient for health-conscious people: low in calories and fat, but high in vitamins and satisfying. Pumpkin can be made into a variety of warm and delicious dishes, whether Thai, Japanese, or international. The bright yellow color of pumpkin helps to stimulate the appetite. For something new, roasted pumpkin with teriyaki sauce might be an interesting choice. The soft and gentle sweetness of the pumpkin and the savory, sweet teriyaki sauce will turn this simple dish into a colorful, cheerful snack for your evening.

Pomelo In a season of fighting off colds, pomelo is a great source of vitamin C that helps boost your immune system. With its sweet and refreshing taste and large segments, it's a great ingredient for juice, salads, Yum Som-O (pomelo salad), or eaten as a cool fruit at the end of a satisfying meal. The delicious fragrance of a large piece of pomelo will be a small smile full of goodness, bringing happiness to everyone for sure.

Starfruit This star-shaped fruit is high in vitamin C and very juicy. It’s delicious eaten fresh and cold, in a spicy salad, or as part of a simple salad. A small amount goes a long way. Starfruit has light taste and crunchy, juicy texture. It’s a wonderful fruit for decorating dishes or as a cool, lovely, and truly nutritious snack.

Grapes When you’re feeling tired, sweet and delicious grapes can quickly give you a boost of energy. They also provide antioxidants that are beneficial for heart health. So, if your appetite is low due to sickness or you want to eat a cold dessert despite a sore throat, cold, sweet, seedless grapes are a great choice. The sweet, firm, and juicy grapes, like edible jewels that bring a sparkling burst of sweetness and happiness, will always make you smile, even on a tired day.

We hope these delicious stories will help fill your meals with joy and restore your body and mind, so you can continue forward in this busy world without forgetting that, “Today, you have loved yourself.”

In this late rainy, early cold season, we hope you keep your body and mind strong. We hope we can be a part of powering your delicious meals and your tomorrow.