Nam Hom coconut water: what to tell a retail chain buyer in Kazakhstan
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In Thai, nam hom means "perfume", literally "fragrant water". In Thailand it is also the name of an aromatic dwarf coconut. The compound behind its scent is the same one found in Thai jasmine rice and the crust of rye bread. Thai Coco makes Nam Hom coconut water alongside its Classic and Organic waters, and we supply all three directly from Thailand.
Where the Nam Hom aroma comes from
According to Thailand's Department of Agriculture (in Thai), the Nam Hom coconut has a scent resembling pandan leaves, and it comes from a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, or 2-AP for short. The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) writes that 2-AP smells of popcorn and is characteristic of aromatic rice, including Thai jasmine rice. It also contributes to the aroma of wheat and rye bread crusts (JIRCAS, 2002).
The second word, hom, means "pleasant-smelling" in the Royal Society of Thailand dictionary (in Thai). It is also part of the Thai name for jasmine rice, Hom Mali (Thai government, 2023).
Researchers at Hainan University analysed the aroma compounds in water from fresh Nam Hom coconuts (Food Chemistry: X, 2024). Of the compounds they identified, 2-AP has the strongest effect on the overall aroma, even though the water contains only 0.09 micrograms of it per kilogram. In the analysis, 2-AP was still detectable after the extract had been diluted 512-fold. For the other key compounds, the limit was eightfold. Twelve trained panellists rated the aroma of this water: popcorn, creamy and sweet notes dominated. You can use these descriptors in the product description for the chain, citing the paper.
Thai Nam Hom and its Chinese descendant
Thailand's Department of Agriculture says Nam Hom stands out for its aroma among coconuts from the Philippines and Indonesia, which has made it an important Thai export. Wenye No. 4 is a recently developed aromatic variety, bred in Hainan from Thai Nam Hom. The same researchers compared the water of the two coconuts and did not detect 2-AP in Wenye No. 4. The authors suggest that the aroma changed after local selection because of the different growing location, growth period and climate.
Thai Coco makes its coconut water from selected Thai coconuts.
On the EU register alongside jasmine rice
Since 10 March 2026 the EU has protected the name Maphrao Namhom Ratchaburi, which covers the aromatic coconut from seven districts of Ratchaburi province (Regulation (EU) 2026/363, summarised by AGRINFO). The Thai government says the soil and water of these districts contribute to the coconut's pandan-like fragrance. It adds that the protection guarantees the product's characteristics, authenticity and origin and protects the name from misuse or imitation. Maphrao Namhom Ratchaburi is the fifth Thai geographical indication in the EU. The four before it are two kinds of rice, including the jasmine rice Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong-Hai, and two coffees (Thai government, 21 February 2026).
Three Thai Coco waters
We supply Thai Coco in three types: Classic, Organic and Nam Hom. The Classic 1 L and 330 ml packs carry the OU kosher mark. The Organic water carries the USDA Organic and EU Organic marks, and its 330 ml pack also has the OU mark.
For the chain's product description, use the properties the whole line shares: 100% coconut water, not from concentrate, no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, no added colours or preservatives. The water contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and manganese. It is fat free, gluten free, cholesterol free and low in calories.
We suggest shelving Classic and Nam Hom side by side: this makes them easier to compare, for shoppers on the shelf and for you in your sales reports.
The first order
Figures from the Siam Signature catalogue, October 2026.
| Thai Coco coconut water, whole line | |
|---|---|
| Types | Classic, Organic, Nam Hom |
| Sizes | 1 L and 330 ml cartons, 350 ml PET bottle |
| Per carton | 6 × 1 L, 12 × 330 ml, 24 × 350 ml |
| Per pallet | 189 cartons |
| Minimum order | 1 × 20ft container. Under your own label, from 6 containers |
| Shelf life | 15 months |
| Good place to start | 1 L and 330 ml |
The container minimum covers the whole coconut water line, and we agree the split by type and size when we price the order. Shipments go by sea or air directly from Thailand against your order. We price the route and lead time together with the goods.
The EAEU declaration of conformity is accepted by the importer in Kazakhstan, or by a person authorised by the manufacturer, on the basis of test reports on product samples from an accredited EAEU laboratory. A conformity assessment body registers it. We prepare the plant documents for the declaration. Labelling must be in Kazakh and Russian, with the EAC mark.
What to put in your request
In the request form, tick "Drinks" and in the "Comment" field write Nam Hom, the sizes you need and roughly how many cartons of each type you want. We will send specifications, ingredient lists and plant certificates with samples of all three Thai Coco types, so you can compare the three side by side and show them to the chain. We will ask the plant for the remaining shelf life on the shipment date and confirm the sizes for your order.
The JIRCAS and Food Chemistry: X papers, the AGRINFO summary and the Thai government releases are in English, so you can link to them in your presentation for the chain. Sizes and line properties are on the coconut water product page.