Beautiful Food Presentation with Banana Leaf Crafts

Presenting food and desserts in style

Thai Food in a Tray Set (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Thai Food in a Tray Set

Setting food containers as a tray set is counted as an identity of Thai people. In one tray set, it contains rice, mild soup, spicy soup, stir fry dish, fried dish, dipping sauces, vegetable side dishes, and a dessert. Banana leaf is often used as a container of forms such as a container jar, a floating basket, and a saucer tray.

Crafting Utensils from Leaves (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Crafting Utensils from Leaves

Thai food containers reflect the Thais’ innovative wisdom to craft utensils concerning their full potential in usage. If the containers are to be used through heat, the Thais use Pisang Awak leaves which its aroma helps the food and dessert they contain smell more alluring while in making food trays; the Thais use Musa Balbisiana leaves which are more appealing in colors and also durable to different temperatures.

Dessert Wrapping (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Dessert Wrapping

There are various forms of food and dessert wrappings depending on their appearance, texture or aroma. For instance, there are short and tall wrapping, open-faced wrapping or even unique forms of wrappings according to the menu such as Kanom Tien or Kaow Tom Mud which help us to be able to distinguish the dessert in plain sight.

Dessert Wrapped in Banana Leaves (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Dessert Wrapped in Banana Leaves

Tall wrappings are made by folding banana leaves together and tightening them with a piece of coconut leaf. This form is used with steamed food so the food contained inside won’t overflow when cooked. 

Crafting Banana-leaf Container (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Crafting Banana-leaf Container

Food containers come in different shapes and sizes according to the specific aspect of the food they contain, such as single-angled, double-angled and quadruple-angled containers. Moreover, there are also fresh containers and dried containers innovated for different kinds of food. 

Banana-Leaf Container (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Banana-Leaf Container

Dried banana-leaf containers are made of folding sun-dried leaf and clasp with a stick made of dried coconut leaf. This is because banana leaves are tougher and stronger when dried. They can be used with both savory food and dessert.

Banana-Leaf Food Container (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Banana-Leaf Food Container

The practice of crafting containers was common in the palace that required expertise. There are different forms and complex patterns, such as Leb Kroot (garuda’s talons), Gleeb Phakar (flowers’ petals) and Phee Sua (butterfly).

Banana-Leaf Food Tray (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Banana-Leaf Food Tray

Leb Kroot pattern is made by making tiny pieces of leaves appearing like talons and sewing them together to the food tray making a delicate design. This pattern is used to enhance the food-presentation’s sophistication.

Small Banana-Leaf Container Jar (2021-08-25) by The Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Small Banana-Leaf Container Jar

A container jar is a special form of container using in special occasions perhaps as a present for someone important. The container jar can also be decorated with flowers for attraction

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