An ever-present feature of the Thai kitchen, Kapi (shrimp paste) is one of the essential ingredients in Thai food, for instance as curries and chili dips. Shrimp paste is made of Khoei, a very tiny shrimp-like marine creature with small dotty black eyes, and a clear, almost transparent body. Living at the tree roots in the mangrove, Khoei is available in every season. Villagers usually go seek Khoei in the morning, and the wash them and salt them for preservation. The salted Khoei is left overnight, and is then set out to dry in strong sunlight for 2-3 days. Villagers massage the sun-dried Khoei. Eventually, the dough-like Khoei will be packed and sold. Khlone Shrimp Paste is famous because it is produced from top-quality Khoei.