There is no denying that the trend for locally-sourced ingredients in the world of Food and Beverage (F&B) has started to grow in the past few years and is now becoming much more apparent. Aside from their charming taste, the use of locally-sourced ingredients is a means to conserve each region’s precious culinary traditions while helping to create a more environmentally friendly and sustainable world.
The widespread effect of global temperature change has caught the attention of many, amongst which are those who work in the F&B industry. Hence, we are starting to see more chefs advocating for sustainable food as well as more activities regarding sustainability in the industry. There are now restaurants that support the use of organic produce and minimising food waste to reduce greenhouse gas through different activities, as well as collaborative projects to raise awareness amongst consumers so that they too, would become part of the environmental movement and contribute in their own ways. As we may be aware, consumerism and the food industry are inevitably related to global warming—an issue which requires the communal effort from everyone across the globe.
The trend for sustainability also applies to the world of beverage, where Sustainable Bartending has gained attention amongst leading international and local bartenders alike. While the movement still remains relatively young in Thailand, the effort has been promising and admirable. One important direction for sustainable bartending is the use of local produce to help reduce carbon footprint from the transportation process. Better yet, using organic local produce will further help to prevent environmental damage caused by chemical residues, a change that is also more beneficial to the drinker’s health. Indeed, if one intends to drink, one might as well enjoy drinking with conscience and responsibly.
This also includes using spirits that are made with local ingredients. It is undeniable that cocktails are becoming more popular as the beverage of choice for festivities. The wide variety of delicious flavours makes it easy to drink while its flexibility often inspires the creation of new flavours with unique ingredients. Recent trends saw more appreciation of local Thai ingredients from bartenders as opposed to the past, where juice pressed from imported fruits were more popular. Nowadays, the use of local Thai ingredients, be they fruits and herbs, has become much more common. This is then combined with different drink-mixing techniques to make the cocktail more interesting. Not only is this a fun experience where one gets to see the bartender’s creativity, it also portrays his appreciation and eagerness to preserve local ingredients. Not only that, it is also a means to help the local farmers who are bringing forth these produce.
While imported drinks may have been more valued in the past (under the belief that they are of a better quality or paints the drinker with a better image), nowadays, the quality of Thai spirits is second to none. Mekhong, a leading Thai spirit label, has proven this by maintaining its popularity amongst drinkers from Thailand and across the globe for over almost 80 years. The ingredients of Mekhong consist of molasses from sugar cane and quality glutinous rice combined with a special secret recipe that mixes Thai herbs and spices together, making Mekhong the true ‘Spirit of Thailand’. Mixed in a cocktail along with other local Thai ingredients to create Mekhong’s unique signature drinks, the recipe not only brings out the authentic taste of Thai flavour but also makes it a perfect match with Thai dishes. Because Thai cocktails and Thai cuisine both have highly compatible flavour profiles, the taste of both the drink and dishes are thus enhanced. A result of a carefully crafted combination of local ingredients, it promises to certainly ameliorate one’s dining and drinking experience.
While many drinkers may enjoy the endless variety of flavours, it would be better still that for each of the drop savoured, one can simultaneously help to preserve the value of local charms and promote sustainability.
This content was brought to you by Mekhong, Official Supplier of the MICHELIN Guide Bangkok 2018.
www.mekhong.com
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