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Thai Curries Explained: Your Guide to Kaeng Phet, Kaeng Som, and More

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Ever mixed up your kaeng som and kaeng phet? ðŸēðŸŒķ️ After 30 years in Hua Hin , I still do! Thai curries are a world of flavors—each with its own story. From tangy to fiery, the differences are fascinating. Curious to learn more? My latest blog post breaks it down simply. If you love Thai food, this might just clear up the confusion! 😊 In Thai cuisine, "kaeng" (āđāļāļ‡) is often translated as "curry," but this can be misleading. While some are curry-like, kaeng broadly refers to a category of soups or stews with a liquid base, ranging from clear broths to thick, coconut cream-based dishes. The main differences between various kaengs lie in their base ingredients, flavor profile, color, and consistency . Here’s a breakdown of the major types, using your examples as a starting point: 1. Kaeng Phet (āđāļāļ‡āđ€āļœ็āļ”) - "Spicy Curry" Base: Rich coconut cream/milk . Key Flavor Profile: Spicy, rich, creamy, aromatic . The heat is prominent but balanced by coconut r...

Mulberry & Bilimbi Citrus Splash Jam: A Tropical Thai Treasure

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This Mulberry & Bilimbi Citrus Splash jam from Hua Hin Services blends sweet garden mulberries with tart taling pling for a vibrant, tropical Thai spread. Perfect for toast, yogurt, or desserts, it captures Hua Hin’s fresh, coastal garden-to-table flavor in every spoonful.   If you've ever wandered through the lush gardens of Hua Hin or explored the local markets in this charming coastal town, you've likely encountered two of Thailand's most underappreciated fruits: sweet, jewel-toned mulberries and the wonderfully tart bilimbi, known locally as āļ•āļ°āļĨิāļ‡āļ›āļĨิāļ‡ (taling pling). This recipe brings these two distinctly Thai flavors together in a jam that's as vibrant as Hua Hin's morning markets and as refreshing as a sea breeze along its beaches. The Hua Hin Connection: Fruits of the Gulf Coast Hua Hin, with its subtropical climate and fertile gardens, provides the perfect environment for both mulberries and bilimbi trees. Walk through any residential neighborhood...

The Golden Superfood: Sweet Potatoes for Health & Vitality in Hua Hin

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Sweet potatoes deliver 400% daily vitamin A for healthy eyes, glowing skin, and strong immunity. Rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamin C, they're available at Hua Hin's markets (30-50 baht/kg) and perfect for our tropical lifestyle. Living in the sunny coastal paradise of Hua Hin , where outdoor activities and beach life are part of daily routine, maintaining healthy skin, sharp vision, and robust immunity becomes especially important. Enter the humble sweet potato—a nutritional powerhouse that's readily available in local markets and perfectly suited to our tropical lifestyle. Nature's Multivitamin in One Root Sweet potatoes stand out as one of nature's most nutrient-dense foods, offering remarkable benefits for your eyes, skin, and immune system. A single medium-sized baked sweet potato delivers an extraordinary 400% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A—a crucial nutrient that works wonders for your body inside and out. Protecting Your Vision Und...

Easy Vegan Tom Kha Recipe with Tofu, Lemongrass, and Galangal

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Enjoy a delicious Vegan Tom Kha! This aromatic Thai soup features coconut milk, vegetable broth, lemongrass , galangal , and fresh veggies like mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers, & tofu. Seasoned with lime, soy sauce, and agave, it's a flavorful plant-based delight. Serve hot with cilantro.   Ingredients: 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk 4 cups vegetable broth 1 stalk lemongrass , bruised and chopped into 3-inch pieces 3-4 slices of galangal (or ginger if galangal is unavailable) 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or oyster mushrooms work well) 1 medium-sized carrot, sliced into thin rounds 1 medium-sized bell pepper, sliced 1 block (about 14 oz) firm tofu, cubed 1 medium-sized tomato, cut into wedges 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies , bruised (adjust according to spice preference) 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon agave syrup or sugar Salt to taste Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish Optional: Thai basil leaves for garnish In...

The Makrut Lime (āļĄāļ°āļāļĢูāļ” / ma-grood): A Complete Guide to Citrus Hystrix

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Discover the vibrant taste of Makrut lime! This complete guide from Hua Hin Services covers everything from its unique aroma to its culinary and health benefits. If you've spent any time in Thailand, you've encountered its captivating aroma. The unmistakable, intense citrus scent of Makrut lime (āļĄāļ°āļāļĢูāļ”) is the unsung hero of countless Thai dishes. Often confused with the common lime, this knobbly, fierce-looking fruit is a cornerstone of Southeast Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. For those of us living in or visiting Hua Hin , it's a flavour we can enjoy fresh every day. What's in a Name? From Ma-grood to Makrut First things first, you might know it by another name. The term "Kaffir lime" is being phased out, as "kaffir" is an offensive slur in some cultures. The preferred names are now Makrut lime (from the Thai āļĄāļ°āļāļĢูāļ”, ma-grood ), or simply its scientific name, Citrus hystrix . Embracing the correct name is a sign of cultural respect. ...

Holy Basil (Thai Basil) - Bai Krapow (āđƒāļšāļāļ°āđ€āļžāļĢāļē) - Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum

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Grow Holy Basil in your Hua Hin garden with HuaHinServices ! Learn about this sacred herb and its uses in Thai cuisine and medicine. We grow sustainably, promoting wellness!   Holy Basil is a versatile herb with a rich cultural history in Thailand, and its use extends beyond culinary applications to encompass traditional medicine and religious practices. Scientific Name: Ocimum sanctum, also known as Ocimum tenuiflorum, is the scientific name for Holy Basil. It is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Names in Thai: In Thai language, Holy Basil is known as "āļāļ°āđ€āļžāļĢāļē" (pronounced "kra-prow"). The term "Bai Krapow" specifically refers to the basil leaves used in Thai cuisine. Culinary Use: Holy Basil is a popular herb in Thai cuisine and is widely used in various dishes. It has a distinct aroma and peppery, slightly spicy flavor. One of the most famous Thai dishes featuring Holy Basil is "Pad Krapow" or "Pad Kra Pao," a stir-fried dish ...