Thailand has long been known for its delicious cuisine. The country boasts some of the finest dishes in the region, from spicy curries to sweet desserts. What makes Thai import food special?
Thailand is home to a unique blend of cultures. Its history dates back thousands of years, and today, the country is a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups.Thai food is often described as being rich and flavorful. In fact, the country is famous for its fresh ingredients and spices. This is why Thai food is considered to be healthier than other cuisines.
Attributes of Thai food which make it very good
Thai food offers an abundance of variety. It contains vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, beans, tofu, noodles, rice and more.
Fish sauce
Stickiness: One of the best things about Thai food is that it’s sticky. For example, you can find this flavour in red curry paste.
Holy Basil
The holy basil plant is also called “tok sak khua krai.”This type of herb has many health benefits. You will read that in Thailand, people use it to treat stomach ulcers, diabetes, high blood pressure, fever, diarrhea, and skin infections. It even helps against cancer!It is used mainly in soups or sauces, but if you want to enjoy the real taste of the herb, add some to your stir fry.
Lemongrass and Galangal
These two plants contain essential oils that have antibacterial properties. These fragrant herbs help boost flavours when they are used with fish sauce.
What are common ingredients used in Thai cuisine?
You may know that there are different types of Thai food, such as curries, salads, fried foods, and so on. You might wonder what these dishes consist of. Well, here are some of the most popular ingredients used in Thai cuisine:
Curry pastes
They are made up of dried ingredients like turmeric, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots, and chillies. They are used mostly in Thai curries and stir-fries.
Tom Yum soup
This Thai dish consists of coconut milk, tamarind juice, lime leaves, galangal, lemongrass and chillies. It is usually served hot.
Noodles
There are many varieties of noodles available in Thailand. You can choose between wheat flour, egg noodles, rice noodles, Chinese noodles, etc.
Rice
It’s the main ingredient in almost every Thai recipe. Rice is used to prepare both savoury and sweet dishes.
Desserts
A lot of traditional Thai desserts include sticky rice. However, you can also find ice cream, cakes, cookies, candies, and pies in bakeries and supermarkets.
Food manufacturersThere are many companies that produce imported food items. Some of them are familiar brands, while others are new.
Influence on ThaisThai cuisine is influenced by several factors. First, it is based on Buddhist principles. Second, it is a mixture of Indian, European, and Asian cultures.
What are other types of Thai dishes?
Thais love their food, especially their spicy dishes. There are hundreds of delicious recipes out there. Here are some of the most common ones:
Red Curry Paste
It is a mix of spices, including lemongrass, galangal, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, chillies, shrimp paste, and coconut milk.
Green Curry Paste
It is similar to red curry paste, except that green curry is milder, sweeter, and less spicy.
Yellow Curry Paste
It is yellow because of turmeric. The same ingredients are found in red curry paste, but the amount of chilli peppers is lower.
Green Papaya Salad
It includes papaya salad, peanuts, cucumber, tomatoes, mint, coriander, and chillies.
Sticky Rice
This dish is made from glutinous rice. It is cooked until it becomes soft and sticky. Then it is mixed with coconut milk, palm sugar, and sometimes pandan leaves.
Pork Satay
It is grilled meat marinated in peanut sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar.
Chicken Satay
It is marinated chicken pieces covered with peanut sauce and then baked.
Khao Soi (Thai Noodle Soup)
It is a noodle soup made from pork broth, vegetables, and noodles.
Mee Krob
It is a type of Thai noodle soup. It is often served with crispy tofu or deep-fried tofu.
Pad See EwIt is a type of omelette filled with minced beef and eggs.
What are the different styles of Thai cooking?
Thai food has its own style, whether it is eaten at home or in restaurants. Here are some of its styles:
Chaat – It is an appetizer consisting of pickled vegetables, herbs, chutneys, and sauces.
Som Tam – It is a sour dip made from crushed fresh green mango, lemon grass, fish sauce, and chilli.
Phanaeng – It is a type made from fermented rice wine and coconut milk.
Som Tum – It is a kind of Thai salad made with shredded raw cabbage, onions, and sliced boiled egg.
Laksa – It is a Malaysian soup made with thin rice noodles, bean sprouts, tofu, and prawns.
Nam Prik – It is a type prepared with ground-dried seafood, garlic, shallots, and lime juice.
Nam Phrik – It is a kind made with chopped raw chillies, tamarind, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal.
Tom Yum Goong – It is a type that combines tomato, chilli, and crab.
Tom Yum Kai – It is a type where the crab is replaced with shrimp.
Kalua Pork – It is a type using whole pig roasted over charcoal.
Kai Yang – It is a type in which pork is not roasted. Instead, it is braised in coconut milk, lemongrass, and ginger.
What are Thai spices and herbs?
Spices and herbs have been used in cooking for thousands of years. They add flavour and aroma to foods and enhance their nutritional value. Many countries use them in traditional dishes because they are believed to be good for health. These include basil, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, mint, oregano, parsley, paprika, rosemary, sage, thyme, turmeric, vanilla, and many others.
Basil – It is commonly known as sweet basil. This herb is used in soups, salads, and stir-fry dishes.
Cinnamon – It is used to season cakes, bread, and pastries. Cinnamon also makes desserts taste better.
Cloves – It is used in baking and seasoning meats and vegetables. Cloves give a strong aroma to food.
Fennel – It is used in making sausages and stews. Fennel adds a nice smell to food.
Garlic – It is used to flavour soups, sauces, and condiments. Garlic gives food more flavour.
Ginger – It is used to flavour Asian dishes such as dumplings, soups, and sauces. Ginger is also added to drinks like tea.
Oregano – It is used to flavour pasta and pizza. Oregano is one of the most popular herbs in Italy.
Rosemary – It is used in Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Rosemary is also used to give a special touch to meat dishes.
Sage – It is used to make meat dishes more flavorful. Sage can also be used to keep insects away from food.
Tarragon – It is used to give a nice flavour to poultry, fish, and shellfish.
Thyme – It is used to spice up dishes by giving a unique taste.
Thyme is also used in French and Mediterranean cuisines.
Vanilla – It is used in cake mixes and ice cream. Vanilla is one of the main ingredients in chocolate ice cream.
What are the benefits of Thai food?
There are many reasons why you should eat Thai food. Below are some of these benefits.
Health Benefits
Many studies show that Thai food contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It helps fight diseases caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause cancer and other illnesses. Antioxidants help prevent this problem.
Nutrition
The nutrients found in Thai food are high in protein and low in fat. The nutrients found in Thai food help your body get energy.
Weight Loss
Studies show that eating Thai food can help you lose weight. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating Thai meals helped Thai people lose weight.
Eating Thai Food For Weight Loss
When eating Thai food, it is important to limit yourself to two meals per day. You should avoid eating large amounts of carbohydrates at each meal. Carbohydrates provide energy but they do not satisfy hunger.When you eat too many carbohydrates, you will feel hungry again soon after. Eating small portions of carbohydrates throughout the day keeps you satisfied longer.Eating Thai food can help you burn calories faster than if you ate Western food. If you want to lose weight, try eating Thai food several times a week.You may find that when you eat Thai food, you start craving fewer sweets and fatty foods. Try eating Thai food instead of junk food.
What is a typical meal at an authentic Thai restaurant?
In Thailand, food is served on small plates called “Roti”s (often in combination with dipping sauces). These dishes usually consist of various types of meat, vegetables, herbs and spices that are cooked together until they become tender. There are many variations of this dish depending on the region. Roti can be eaten alone or accompanied by rice or noodles.If you’re travelling in Thailand, you’ll notice that the local restaurants serve their own version of this dish. They call it “Pad See Ew”. Some versions contain more vegetables and less meat, while others include just about any type of vegetable and meat imaginable. Pad See Ew is often considered a staple for travellers who don’t have much time to cook.For those looking for something different, there’s always Pad Kee Mao, a noodle dish similar to pad see ew. Sometimes it includes chicken, sometimes pork, and even beef.