Features 2 minutes 01 April 2019

The Hidden Flavours of Benja Chicken

The key to creating the perfect dish lies in the distinct flavours achieved from using high quality and unique ingredients, and the people behind Benja Chicken all agree.

In this day and age, the use of chemicals and genetically modified crops in agriculture has become common practice—an accepted standard of procedure. It’s cheap, convenient, and it requires minimal attention. Organic produce, on the other hand, demands great attention to detail, not to mention extreme patience in raising and cultivating the livestock. Not only does this lend flavour to the meat, it’s also beneficial to consumers’ health. In essence, organic produce has become the new standard of excellence—the hallmark of a quality ingredient. But it’s not enough. Distinguished flavours and the uniqueness of the ingredient itself are equally important, particularly when it comes to perfecting a culinary creation. This can be achieved by using unique ingredients such as the chicken oyster* from premium poultry Benja Chicken.(*Remarks :The chicken ‘oyster’ refers to the two small, round pieces of meat located near the thigh.)

Benja Chicken 100% Natural.
Benja Chicken 100% Natural.

They say you are what you eat. Chickens raised on a sub-standard diet will produce meat of the same standard. Chickens raised with natural nutrition, on the other hand, would yield better quality meat. In fact, so great is the difference in quality that it is easily detectable. Raised without using genetically modified grains or antibiotics, Benja Chicken is 100% natural. The brand’s emphasis on delivering safe and naturally delicious poultry can be traced right from the start of the process where the chickens are raised with care and fed with brown rice - a superfood rich in nutrients that result in sweeter and more succulent meat. While corn-fed chicken carries yellow-hued meat that become mushy and dry when cooked, chickens fed with brown rice will appear pinkish-red in colour, its meat more tender and juicier. Premium-grade chicken such as Benja Chicken is also a better alternative for those looking for organic poultry. The brand’s philosophy of providing customers with naturally delicious products and its method of farming is what puts Benja Chicken in a class of its own.

Chicken Oyster served during the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2019 Star Revelation and Gala Dinner.
Chicken Oyster served during the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2019 Star Revelation and Gala Dinner.

Benja Chicken’s “oysters” were also served as starters at the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2019 Star Revelation and Gala Dinner. Named after its small circular shape, the oysters refer to the small, round morsels of meat located near the thigh at the back of the chicken. With only two per chicken, the oysters are a precious ingredient for chefs. The meat carries a distinctive mouthfeel with its firm yet tender texture and is highly regarded as being one of the best and most flavourful parts of the bird. For dinner, the amuse-bouche was creatively presented by Park Hyatt Bangkok’s chef Franck Detrait. This exclusive dish of Chicken Oyster, Green Apple, Butterfly Pea and Sea Grape was served in an oyster shell where the chicken oyster and butterfly pea extraction represented the oyster meat and liquor. The refreshing green apple and sea grape juice helped to complement the natural sweetness of the chicken oyster and helped to excite the palates for a gastronomic evening to remember.

A playful interpretation on its moniker, the amuse-bouche at the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2019 Star Revelation and Gala Dinner was served in an oyster shell.
A playful interpretation on its moniker, the amuse-bouche at the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2019 Star Revelation and Gala Dinner was served in an oyster shell.

A culinary masterpiece is defined by more than just meticulous techniques and a beautiful presentation. It is an artwork that presents high-quality ingredients with distinguished flavours. With industrial-scale, corn-fed chicken dominating the market, organic chicken has become an alternative for those striving for better quality meat. Using ingredients such as the chicken oyster from brown rice-fed chicken, these rare and exclusive parts of the fowl is a clever way to add a unique dimension to the dish. The use of Benja Chicken oysters as the main ingredient to start off the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2019 Star Revelation and Gala Dinner is a perfect demonstration of how a simple but premium ingredient can be used to create a unique dish for an exclusive event.

This article is brought to you by Benja Chicken
To know more about Benja Chicken, please visit http://www.benjachicken.com/

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