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SPECIAL FOCUS

Vegetarian has become a big trend in Germany. fried to be featured in “fish and chips” for vegan. Not long ago, many
Recently, not only jackfruit that has been used websites published information and recipes made of banana blossom.
More and more non-Asian restaurants and organic diners are now very
in vegetarian cooking in substitution keen to create and add new recipes made of banana blossom.
for meat, but banana blossom also Nevertheless, banana blossom is a new option for meat
called the banana heart also gained replacement among vegan and is a new exotic choice for
a certain popularity, too, among people interested in tasting and trying new menus, or
even weight watchers and weight losers. Thus, it has
vegetarian and vegan consumers. relatively wide target and is in demand. Increasing
numbers of consumers are leaving comments on the
Banana blossom is an edible flower used website complaining that the product is very difficult to
in Southeast Asia and Indian cooking, where find, and they must keep close-watch for when the
they consider it a vegetable. The banana product is back in store to make quick purchases. This
blossom became known through Asian food scarcity creates a new market opportunity for Thai exporters
culture to the west. The banana heart has also in send more product to Germany.
gained a certain popularity, too, among vegan Forthwith, fresh banana blossom and canned banana
consumers. Therefore, we see increasing demands for blossom in brine can be found in Asian shops, online Asian shops, and
banana blossom in Germany. vegan stores such as Amazon, vegansnacks.de, asiafoodland.de, asia-
markt-105.com, as well as supermarket and vegan ingredient shops.
Vegetable Spotlight: Banana Blossom Banana blossom is often found next to jackfruit, but it is not very common.
Banana blossom is nothing new to Asian and has been part of the Sometimes, you even have to rely on your luck. Fresh banana blossom
cuisine for a long time. Now, the product is gaining a foothold in is sold at 6-8 euros per 200-300 grams, or 25-32 euros per kg, while
Germany and is likely to be picked up following increasing demands canned banana blossom in brine from Chaokoh and Aroi-Dee cost
from vegan. The strong fiber texture of the good has made it a good 1.80-1.99 euros per can.
alternative for meat. It also offers low calories, only 17 calories per
100 grams, which makes it even more popular. เอกสารอ้างอิง/Reference
Banana blossom has been applied to variety of menus ranging ส�ำนักงำนส่งเสริมกำรค้ำในต่ำงประเทศ ณ นครแฟรงก์เฟิร์ต เยอรมนี
from salad, spicy salad, or even different types of curry soup. It is also Thai Trade Centre, Frankfurt, Germany
sometimes found dipped in flour or bread crumbs before being deep- Kathryn Hill, Indian Vegetable. “Ingredient Spotlight: Banana Blossom.”
(Available at www.thekitchn.com)

OCT 2018 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 33