BuzzFlash Reviews
Thai Rice from the Surin Cooperative (Three One Pound Boxes)
BUZZFLASH REVIEWS
-- Alter Eco Thai Rice - as its name "Hom Malee" or "scented rice" indicates - develops a delicate aroma when cooked and brings out the perfume of a jasmine blossom. This unique and natural aroma is a result of the dry, salty soil specific to the Isan plateau in Thailand. Alter Eco Thai rice can be used as a main dish, a side dish or, as in Thailand, a snack!
-- Alter Eco Coral Rice (Khao Deng variety) is derived from an ancient red rice grain. This unique rice is obtained by a natural technique using traditional millstones. The polished grains acquire a beautiful coral color and while the grains retain all the natural riches and minerals of whole grain red rice, they are lighter and easier to digest. This original rice was developed in partnership with Alter Eco. In this way, Alter Eco helps the farmers of Surin to diversify their offer and create new business.
-- Alter Eco Ruby Red Rice (Khao Deng variety) is an ancient whole grain rice that is as nutritionally charged as it is colorful. Its crunchy texture and earthy flavor are paired with a cocktail of essential vitamins, proteins and minerals, making it an all-round healthy choice!
The rice is planted mid May and harvested from mid November to mid December.
An average of 360 lbs of rice paddy are needed to sow one hectare if the seeds are sewn directly into the soil; and 180 lbs if creating a plant nursery and the rice is replanted (after 15 days following traditional methods or after 7 days following the SRI method: Systematic Rice Intensification, a program, developed in Madagascar, that uses less water but is not well known in Thailand).
Fertilizers are limited to green compost -animal and plant waste.
The sole transformation phase before packaging is the shelling of the rice paddy.
The Surin cooperative was created in 1997, but the current members have been regrouping and working communally since 1993. Thanks to Fair Trade buying prices and a development premium managed by the members themselves, the cooperative was able to invest in a facility for de-husking, sorting and packaging the rice. In this way they are able to increase the percentage of the final product price that goes to them. The members also avoid the added cost of multiple transports during the various stages of transformation. The close collaboration between Alter Eco and the Surin cooperative has led to the creation of three new cooperatives, currently in the process of starting their activity.
BUZZFLASH REVIEWS