Another serving of GI to spice up an exotic buffet of Thai fruits

While the legal concept is complex, to simplify, a geographical indication (GI) refers to a label used on products to indicate that the goods originate from a specific area, which gives them unique characteristics particular to that locality.

Thailand has numerous local GI products, with a myriad of renowned fruits that generate substantial income, both from domestic sales and exports. Examples include Monthong Rayong Durian, Ratchaburi Aromatic Coconut, Nam Dok Mai Sakaeo Mango, and Thip Phang-Nga Mangosteens.

In 2024, several Thai fruits were registered as GI; a few of them are outlined below.

1) Tak Avocado

Tak avocado is characterized by its firmness, rich taste, and pleasant aroma. Tak province features flat land ideal for avocado cultivation and is situated near significant water sources, ensuring a year-round water supply for farming. Additionally, the soil in this region is fertile and contains essential minerals crucial for the growth of avocados. [1]

2) Monthong Khao Bantad Durian

Monthong Khao Bantad Durian is distinguished by its thick, light-yellow flesh and its sweet and rich flavor. This variety has the unique characteristic of being harvestable earlier than those grown in other regions. This is due to its cultivation in fertile areas with high rainfall, influenced by monsoon winds and sea breezes that impact the coast and the Bantad mountains of Trat province. These conditions result in a rapid decrease in atmospheric humidity, causing the durian to experience stress from the changing weather, which in turn stimulates earlier flowering and fruiting. [2]

3) Phuket Garcinia

Phuket Garcinia is cultivated throughout Phuket province, characterized by loamy clay soil rich in essential minerals and a climate with year-round rainfall, making it an ideal area for growing this variety and enabling year-round harvesting. It is uniquely spherical with shallow grooves on the skin, and it has fine, thick, dense flesh with a very sour taste. It is commonly sold fresh, dried, and powdered, and can be processed into local foods as well as used in the cosmeceutical industry. [3]

4) Phetchaburi Gros Michel Banana

The unique characteristics of the Phetchaburi Gros Michel Banana include its long fruit, thin peel, and seedless flesh, with color of cream to light yellow. The flesh is smooth, delicate and not overly juicy, with a sweet taste. This makes it popular among consumers both domestically and internationally, especially in Japan. Additionally, it ranked as the 7^th highest export GI product in 2023. [4]

5) Sai Nam Phueng Fang Mandarin Orange

Sai Nam Phueng Fang Mandarin Orange is cultivated in the Fang district of Chiang Mai province, where most of the area is mountainous with several significant natural water sources and natural hot springs from underground. This results in soil rich in minerals, making it ideal for growing this orange, which thrives well in this environment. It is characterized by its glossy greenish-yellow or greenish-orange skin, juicy and firm flesh with soft fibers, a sweet and slightly sour taste, and a fragrant aroma. [5]

6) Jakkrapad Fang Lychee

Jakkrapad Fang Lychee is a heart-shaped, large fruit with a thick, rough, pinkish-red skin. It has thick, opaque white flesh that is juicy with a sweet and slightly sour taste, and a fragrant aroma. It is cultivated in three districts of Chiang Mai province, where the average annual temperature is approximately 25.4 degrees Celsius. The area has several significant water sources and natural hot springs, providing mineral-rich water ideal for cultivation. [6]

7) Thong Bai Yai Bang Chao Cha Santol

Thong Bai Yai Bang Chao Cha Santol is distinguished by its thick, soft and juicy flesh, with a sweet and fragrant aroma. The seed pulp is particularly sweet and mellow. It is cultivated in Ang Thong province, an area characterized by flat terrain with soil rich in potassium and phosphorus. The hot and humid climate with abundant rainfall has contributed to its excellent growth. [7]

References:
[1] Tak Avocado
[2] Monthong Khao Bantad Durian
[3] Phuket Garcinia
[4] Phetchaburi Gros Michel Banana
[5] Sai Nam Phueng Fang Mandarin Orange
[6] Jakkrapad Fang Lychee
[7] Thong Bai Yai Bang Chao Cha Santol