Visitors to
Thailand may be surprised at the astonishing variety of
succulent fruits available, including not only familiar ones but
others that rank high on the scale of gourmet discoveries. Many
kinds of fruit are available throughout the year, while
some make their much-anticipated appearance for only a few
months.
One finds
the full array of Thai fruits at almost any public market.
A market with a particular large selection of Thai fruit is on
Phahonyothin Road across from the entrance to the Weekend Market
at Chatuchak Park. While it's quite a distance from downtown Bangkok,
one is rewarded not only by a great variety but also by low
prices.
Traditionally
complementing almost every meal, Thailand's abundant fruits are
served in a wide variety of ways. Fruit carving is a traditional
Thai art and many kinds of fruit, in particular papaya, water-melon,
pineapple and sapodilla, arrive at the table transformed by skilled
hands into beautiful flowers and other shapes. Close attention
is paid to the arrangement of platters of fresh fruit to
make a selection as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Thai fruits
are also liquified in blenders to produce nourishing drinks
for a hot day, turned into icy sherbets, and used in Western ways
to create excitingly different dishes like mango tart, coconut
custard and rose apple pies.
