With delicate white petals that come together almost in the shape of a bell and a highly distinctive fragrance, jasmine flowers are tightly woven into the fabric of every day life in Cambodia, from weddings to offerings, household scents, elegant decorations, art and, of course, jasmine tea. The Khmer name, Malis, will be known to many, especially Khmer speakers and its integral role in Khmer culture is one of the reasons we chose that name for our first Khmer restaurant.
But there is more than that. The whiteness of the flower that we find here in Cambodia is a symbol of purity while the richness of the scent hints at a sensuality that we at Thalias associate intimately with food. Jasmine too is very much a symbol of love and good luck, and we never heard of anyone who had too much of that.
At Malis in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the jasmine flower is a reminder that we are on a mission to create more beauty and to bring more pleasure in the world, and also our own offering for as much luck and prosperity that we can bring to our guests.
