One more week at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we continue our gastronomic route around the Asian continent. Today we want to tell you about turmeric and its role in Asian cuisine. Keep reading!

There are many uses of turmeric. Due to its colour and flavour, it has earned a privileged place in Indian cuisine. It has also become popular in Southeast Asia and in Middle East. The use of this spice gives dishes its characteristic yellow colour. After adding turmeric, food takes a slightly sweet and spicy flavour.

Turmeric is one of the main ingredients of sauces, stews and other popular Asian dishes. Asian people have been using it for over 4,000 years, not just in food, but also in the treatment of different illnesses. Due to its benefits, it helps treat different digestive disorders.

We can find turmeric in two versions: fresh and powder. Any of these two options is very aromatic and tasty.

According to experts, the rightest way of including turmeric in your recipes is by using fresh root. There are some studies that suggest that cooked turmeric and raw turmeric could have different properties. The fresh one is believed to have a more powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

Main uses of turmeric in cuisine:

Natural colourant. Due to its vibrant yellow colour, it is used to add colour to butters, cheeses or mustards. Besides giving colour, it gives aroma and a very nice flavour.

Curry´s basis. Curry powder is used in many recipes. It is well known that curry comes of the mix of different spices, among which is turmeric. Turmeric is the one that gives curry its characteristic yellow colour.

More than one dish. Turmeric is an excellent spice for cooking pasta, rice, soups or stews. It gives food a flashy colour between yellow and orange, and a delicious taste.

Saffron substitute. Turmeric is a perfect option, and a cheaper one, to replace saffron. Although they don´t taste exactly the same, it is a good alternative.

During your visit to the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you will be able to enjoy the aromas and flavours of Asia. Exclusive spring dinners at the Koh Samui terrace enjoying its new menu!

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, as good nature lovers, we continue our tour around the most beautiful Asian parks. Today we are travelling to India to discover Gangotri National Park. Are you coming with us?

Gangotri National Park is a national park located in Uttarkashi District in the state of Uttarakhand. It is considered one of the most beautiful parks in India.

One of the most unique aspects of Gangotri National Park is that the origin of the river Ganga is located inside it. According to the legend, Ganga was released from God Shiva’s hair to Earth. Gangotri, after which the park is named, is a giant glacier which melts in heavy volumes to supply water for India’s most sacred river.

The size of this national park is about 2,390 square kilometres, occupied by a pine and conifers forest. The park harbours temperate forests. Vegetation mainly consists of deodar cedars, fir trees, spruces, oaks and rhododendrons.

So far, 15 species of mammals and 150 bird species have been documented in the park. This includes some rare species such as snow leopard, black bear or blue sheep.

Between April and October, tourism in Gangotri National Park reaches its peak. October and November are ideal for tourism as the greens flourish and wildlife thrives during this period. During the spring, nice temperatures and longer days let tourists trek for a longer period of time.

If you are planning on visiting our 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa soon, we suggest you to enjoy a walk among spectacular gardens. A unique experience!

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we have a reason to celebrate. We have travelled to Japan to commemorate the Aoi Matsuri Festival. Find out what it is about!

Aoi Matsuri is one of the three main annual festivals held in Kyoto, the other two being the Festival of the Ages and the Gion Festival. It has been celebrated without interruption since the sixth century; it is considered the most ancient festival in the world.

It takes place every May 15 in the two famous Kamo shrines in the north of the city: Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, which are both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and also included in the list of Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

Aoi Matsuri Festival´s origin is uncertain, but there were most likely natural disasters that were believed to be caused by the Kamo deities (deities of thunder, storm and rain). After the Emperor made offerings to the deities, the disasters subsided accompanied by a good harvest, and the tradition began.

Aoi Matsuri consists mainly of the celebration of different events over two weeks. They take place every year on the same date. The first event is held on May 3 and it is a yabusame demonstration (a type of mounted archery).

A few days later, on May 12, a religious procession takes place, where over 100 people dressed up with colouring clothing from the Heian period welcome the god Aramitama to the festival.

However, Aoi Matsuri´s main event is held on May 15. This is a one-kilometre-long procession made up of about 500 people, who are dressed up like if they were at a parade of the Imperial Court form the Heian period. They walk from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine. The parade is divided in two parts: the first part is the men´s one and the second one is the women´s.

If you would like to enjoy an unforgettable experience for the whole family in paradise, the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is your place. What are you waiting for to Enjoy the exclusiveness of our Suites with views to the gardens?

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we like to pamper ourselves with the best Asian treatments. That´s why, today we are travelling to Japan to tell you about one of Japanese women´s main beauty secrets. Do you want to discover it? Keep reading…

What Asian women do to have such a perfect skin? The answer is rice water. Rice is a perfect ally for skin. The rice grain is a scrub, it removes the dead skin cells; while rice water moisturizes, regenerates and tightens the skin.

The real secret behind rice water is the pitera, a natural byproduct which is rich in in amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. It helps smooth the skin and also the hair, and it even benefits the digestive system.

Which are rice water properties?

It protects against premature skin ageing. It contains a substance called inositol, which stimulates blood circulation by nourishing the skin and fighting wrinkles.

It regenerates and moisturizes the skin. It contains linoleic acid, which includes powerful antioxidants, promotes collagen productions and it is high in vitamin B, which is excellent for our skin.

It is a natural exfoliator. It contains phytic acid, which exfoliates the skin naturally, producing a skin resurfacing.

It helps removing spots due to its exfoliating property.

It protects the skin from the sun.

You can use rice water as a face mask or as a scrub. In order to use rice water as a face mask, you must mix two tablespoons of rice water with a teaspoon of honey. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes twice or three times a week. You can also make a scrub, by mixing two teaspoons of rice water with one of cinnamon or brown sugar. Gently massage your skin, leave the scrub on for 10 minutes and rinse with cold water.

At the 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are focused on next summer. If you are planning on visiting us, book now In Advance 30 days and enjoy a 15% off your booking. Are you joining us?