The Thirst of the Kingdom: A Guide to Cambodia's Traditional Beverages

The Thirst of the Kingdom: A Guide to Cambodia's Traditional Beverages
Chapter One: The Garden's Brew: The World of Khmer Herbal Teas In the traditional Cambodian home, the first remedy for a common ailment is often not a pill, but a soothing, fragrant tea. Long before the French introduced coffee and modern factories produced soft drinks, the primary beverages for health and refreshment were infusions made from the rich botanical pantry of the Khmer garden. Known as tae kroeung or tae sleuk chher ("herbal tea" or "leaf tea"), this world of brews is deeply intertwined with traditional Khmer medicine, or thnam boran . These teas are more than just a way to quench thirst; they are a form of gentle, daily medicine, a way of maintaining balance in the body and treating common afflictions with the healing power of nature. The Philosophy of a Healing Brew The foundation of traditional Khmer health beliefs is the concept of balance. The body needs to maintain a harmonious equilibrium between "hot" and "cold" elements. An …