Thai Rices

White jasmine rice
As its name ‘Hom Malee’ or ‘scented rice’ indicates, jasmine rice develops a delicate aroma when cooked for 15 minutes and brings out the perfume of a jasmine blossom. This unique aroma is a result of the dry, salty soil specific to the Isan plateau in Thailand. It can be used as a main dish, a side dish or, as in Thailand, a snack and is produced by the Surin Cooperative.

Coral rice (Khao Deng variety) is derived from an ancient red rice grain and obtained by a natural technique using traditional millstones. The polished grains acquire a coral colour and while the grains retain all the natural richness and minerals of wholegrain red rice, they’re lighter and easier to digest. The coral colour remains when cooked for no more than 15 minutes.

Purple rice is of the Khao Gram variety, glutinious when cooked and has a delicate, sweet palate. Due to its rich taste and aesthetic appeal, this traditional rice is used by local communities for feasts and celebrations. It is grown exclusively in the fertile soil of the Esan Plateau, in Thailand’s east, close to the Cambodian border. The purple rice is mixed white jasmine to give it an better texture yet retaining its colour and sweet flavour. It’s grown without chemical fertilisers by the Phakao Cooperative.

Black rice – aka king of the golden triangle – is a rare heirloom wholegrain variety from Thailand’s Chian Mai region. It is deep black in colour, has a nutty flavour with notes of pepper and a crunchy texture. It’s also grown without chemical fertilisers.

Surin Cooperative
The Surin cooperative was formed in 1997, although the current members have been working communally since 1993. Thanks to the Fair Trade pricing policy and a development premium managed by the members themselves, the co-op was able to invest in a facility to de-husk, sort and package the rice. This way they're able to increase the portion of the final product price that goes to them. The members also avoid the added cost of multiple transports during the various stages of production. The close collaboration between Alter Eco, through which these rices are sold onto the world market, and the co-op has led to three new co-ops.

Phakao Cooperative
Farmers of the Phakao Cooperative cultivate the Alter Eco purple rice using traditional methods that ensure quality and respect for the environment. Chemical fertilisers and pesticides have been replaced with organic fertilisers and natural plant extracts to produce this premium-quality, environmentally-friendly rice. As such, agriculture is sustainable and their cultural heritage is preserved. 
Over the last few decades, production of this traditional rice was gradually abandoned in favour of the White jasmine rice for which there was a greater demand. As a direct result of Alter Eco’s development projects, this rice is again being grown and rediscovered.