Commonly found alongside the onions, leeks and garlic in the grocery store, shallots make an essential kitchen ingredient. They can be used in a variety of ways, from salads, soups to stocks and quiches. There are still some people who haven’t got to taste this amazing vegetable, and that’s a shame. If you’re one of …
Lots of people don’t really distinguish between shallots and onions. In fact, Allium ascalonicum (shallots) are classified as a separate species within the broader Allium cepa (onions). Other close relatives include garlic, leek, chive and Chinese onion. Perhaps the easiest way to distinguish them from red onions is their smaller size, interiors that cook faster, and a …
Shallots may be a little confusing, but what about shallot greens ? If you’re even a little familiar with shallots, you’ll know they taste like a cross between an onion and garlic, and a little bit watery. Naturally, they grow long, thin leaves, just like onions and garlic. You may be wondering if those nice …
Have you ever had durian, outside of Southeast Asia ? If yes, then you know it’s pretty pricey. Especially so for a fruit that’s really smelly and doesn’t sit well with many people. Still, folks can’t help but be both repelled and drawn by this incredible fruit. We’re thinking this has something to do with …
Lemongrass is a common ingredient in lots of Asian dishes, but also found in perfumes, creams and old folk treatments. You won’t find it very easily if you’re not in an Asian market or shop, but it can be found. And when you do find it, it’s a little bit expensive. Today we’re going to …
Almost all the fruits smell bad when they are rotten, but what about a fruit that already smells horrible in its ripe form? We are talking about none other than the ‘king of fruits’. The biggest indicator that tells if a durian is ripe, unripe, overripe or rotten, is its smell and taste. To determine …
No matter how bad a durian smells, nothing can beat its creamy, sweet and earthy taste. But after devouring all the flesh, what to do with the seeds? Can durian seeds be eaten? If you want to know the answer, keep reading below! Durian is known as the king of all fruits, still many people …
If you’ve ever had any Asian or Indian dishes, chances are you have enjoyed a lemony flavor that did not come from fresh lemons, nor from lemon rind. Western chefs also enjoy the citrusy flavor in many of their recipes. As a popular Asian herb, lemongrass helps give certain dishes a distinct lemony smell and …
If you’ve ever sipped on a cup of tea with that zingy, yet earthy citrus note, or chowed down on a sweet, yet herbal plate of Thai chicken, chances are it was lemongrass you were tasting. More calming than your traditional squeeze of lemon, lemongrass, also known by its Latin title cymbopogon citratus, is actually in …
The unusual, spiky fruit durian has always made it to the limelight because of its horrible smell. This fruit is known to cause utter disgusts in the faces of people due to its ugly shape and pungent smell. Don’t be surprised if we tell you that it is banned in Singapore and some airways because …
Do you love lemongrass in your tea ? Then you may just want to know if lemongrass is edible as well. After all, not everything that smells great will also taste great. Still, lemongrass is such a common ingredient in Asian cuisine you can’t help but wonder about it. Today we’ll be seeing if it …
Star fruit is a delicious tropical fruit, and as such, it’s in high demand whenever it’s in season. It usually has 5 ridges which, when cut into slices across its width, form an attractive star shape. So what do you do with the skin on those beautiful stars? Are they like citrus fruits, peel them …
Coriander is one of the most popular herbs, and definitely one you’ve encountered at least once. Because of its distinct flavor, it is used in the entire world. From curries, sauces, dips to desserts, this beautiful aromatic herb can be used in so many ways. The taste of coriander has always been very subjective. People …
If you’ve got your hands on some star fruit, then congratulations! These things are hard to come by, especially at a fair price. You may be wondering how to store star fruits, now that you have them. No worries, as it turns out, storing these fruits isn’t difficult, but it will require some care on …
Whenever you find an exotic fruit, you may wonder if it’s the best fruit or how to tell when it’s ripe. After all, it’s a new and interesting fruit, and you may not know much about it. This applies to star fruit as well. Not only is star fruit not easy to find if you …
With every passing decade, it is becoming easier and easier to obtain fruit that is out of season. However, while you may be able to purchase strawberries or mangos when they are out of season, that doesn’t mean they taste good! Furthermore, rare fruits are much more difficult to find when they are out of …
Diving into the world of herbs and spices opens up endless exciting possibilities. However, as you are likely well aware, not every plant is edible. In some cases, only certain parts of a plant are edible. Cilantro is a delicious herb that is used in many different cuisines. However, you may be wondering if its …
Parsley and coriander are some of the most common herbs you can use in cooking. Not only are they delicious and full of flavor, they’re also incredibly confusing. Often folks can’t tell the difference between parsley and coriander, and that’s reasonable. They look very similar and they’re used in similar ways, so what sets them …
Do you have a bunch of parsley at home and don’t know how long it will last ? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Parsley is a very common garnishing herb, but it’s also full of flavor so you’re going to find it in cooked foods as well. As great as parsley is, it doesn’t …
Curly parsley is a commonly available garnishing herb. Now, its flat leaf cousin Flat Parsley is also in the reckoning, with a stronger flavor and more crunchy texture. It’s also known as Italian parsley. Both curly parsley and flat parsley have been popular as seasoning and garnishing herbs across the western cuisine. At one time, …