Thai Smiles Japanese Styles
May is considered a special month in Thailand. Not only is it known as the month of fruits—with a wide variety of delicious fruits—but it's also a time when both sun-loving vegetables and late-rainy-season plants are abundant. Mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tender vegetable shoots sprouting in anticipation of the rainy season all enter the markets at once. It’s the best time of year to find ingredients for Thai cuisine at prices lower than any other time of year.
Lime is an essential ingredient in Thai cuisine—used in dishes like larb, yum, nam tok, and many others. However, lime prices can be highly volatile. Many people have had to buy expensive limes during the dry season when yields are low. But there's no need to sigh—May is the month when limes start to flourish, causing prices to steadily drop through to November. It’s a great time to stock up. But don’t get too relaxed! May is also the beginning of the monsoon season, and limes are vulnerable to storm damage, which can cause them to drop their immature fruit or flowers, potentially affecting market prices. While prices are falling, go out and stock up on limes!
May is lychee season—a fruit often associated with beauty. Its sweet and tangy taste is perfectly refreshing, ideal for eating fresh, making juice, enjoying as a chilled treat, or even turning into jams for desserts like jelly, fruit tarts, or lychee tea. Lychee is rich in vitamin C and fiber, making it perfect for boosting immunity during times of changing weather.
Thailand boasts up to 46 mango varieties available in the market—befitting its title as the land of fruit! Whether you prefer sweet, sour, or crispy textures, each stage of ripeness offers its own unique flavor. Mangoes are great as snacks, in savory dishes, or as desserts. May marks the fruiting season for many mango varieties, so this is the perfect time to explore all kinds of mango-based dishes.
When you think of Thailand, durian always comes up. Whether you're a durian fanatic or looking to challenge your taste buds, durian is undoubtedly the king of fruits in May. With its rich, creamy sweetness and texture as smooth as ice cream, it’s a fruit that wins over those who give it a try.
A summer fruit with juicy sweetness, rambutan is eye-catching with its unique outer appearance and easy-to-enjoy taste. It's a great introductory fruit for first-time visitors to Thailand. Different varieties offer various levels of sweetness, flesh firmness, and ease of separation from the seed. If you get the chance, try several types to find the one you like best.
A delicious treat that comes with the start of the rainy season—fresh, tender bamboo shoots begin sprouting in May. Nowadays, there are many sweet bamboo varieties that can be eaten raw without needing to be boiled and rinsed. They are perfect for both Thai and Japanese dishes.
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