Thai cuisine is loved all over the world for its balanced sweetness, sourness, and spiciness. The smorgasbord of flavors makes every Thai cuisine complex, light, and healthy too! In today’s post, we are listing down essential ingredients in Thai dishes.
Curry Paste
Thais love their curry hot and rich! It is no surprise that curry paste is one of the most indispensable parts of Thai cooking. Curry paste is made from a concentrated blend of spices, chilies, and aromatic herbs. It is mixed with coconut milk to make a base for the curry dish. Curry paste comes in different types and the colors including red, green, yellow, and Panang. The color of the paste will depend on the ingredient added to the curry.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an aromatic herb used in Asian cuisine. In Thai cuisine, this herb is used in savory dishes to impart a lemony, citrusy scent and flavor. Tom Yum, which is a popular Thai soup, is flavored with lemongrass. The herb brings out the sourness of the soup and adds a zesty aroma!
Fish Sauce
Fish sauce is the heart and soul of Thai cuisine. Used as a flavoring, fish sauce is an amber-colored liquid made from fermented fish. Apart from being used as a flavoring for the base dish, fish sauce is also used as a dipping sauce. The sauce imparts a rich, savory, umami taste that common flavorings (salt, pepper, herbs or spice) cannot replicate. Fish sauce is not just popular in Thai cooking; it is also widely used in Southeast Asian countries.
Oyster Sauce
Oyster Sauce is a dark brown sauce made from oyster essence. This sauce is commonly used in Asian cooking particularly in Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Filipino cuisine. The oyster sauce adds depth to the dish, imparting a rich flavor that complements other fresh ingredients. This sauce is perfect in stir fry’s, barbecue, and marinades.
Bird’s Eye Chili
Thai cuisine is renowned for its eye-watering heat. And Thais love bird’s eye chili! Bird’s eye chili is an incredibly spicy chili with a sharp flavor. Common in Southeast Asian, this chili is one of the smallest in the species Capsicum annuum but is one of the spiciest!
On the Scoville scale, bird’s eye chili has a spiciness of 100,000–225,000 SHU. Bird’s eye chili is beloved by the Thais for its fruity spiciness. It is used in cooking and in dipping sauces.
Thai Basil
That basil – also known as holy or sweet basil – is a fragrant herb native to Southeast Asia. This herb is prized for its licorice-like flavor. Thai basil has a slightly spicy, peppery flavor. This herb is typically added to curries, seafood, and chicken dishes. It is also used to flavor stir fry’s and soups.
Coconut Milk
What’s an authentic Thai curry without coconut milk? Coconut milk is the extract of grated coconut meat. The liquid is white in color and imparts a rich, creamy taste to various dishes. The liquid has a high oil content made from saturated fat. Apart from curries, coconut milk is also added to soups, savory dishes, and even desserts.
Tamarind
Used as a souring agent, tamarind adds an acidic kick to popular Thai dishes including Tom Yum, Kung Yai Pad Som Makahm Bpiak (spicy tamarind shrimp) or chicken stir-fry! This extremely sour fruit is also used to add flavors to soups, sauces, jams, and marinades.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or health routine.
Tags:Popular
5 of the Best Teas to Relieve Stress and Soothe Anxiety
When it comes to beating anxiety and alleviating stress, nothing works quite as quickly as a soothing cup of tea! Studies show that herbal teas have the uncanny ability to control anxiety, release stress, and provide instant relief from nervous tension. All types of tea work great when it comes to soothing the nerves but these healing teas are proven effective in banishing stress and anxiety:
1. Chamomile Tea
When it comes to calming tea, chamomile tea is a perennial favorite and it certainly tops this list! Chamomile is an effective remedy for anxiety and insomnia because it contains compounds that control the brain chemical cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response. This steroid hormone gives the body a quick boost of energy but leaves you psychologically drained.
Chamomile’s soothing rep has spanned for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used chamomile tea as a remedy for various disorders caused by nervous tension. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology reported that drinking chamomile tea reduces anxiety among participants suffering from mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder.
2. Passionflower Tea
Passionflower tea has an invigorating, fruity aroma and a deep, earthy flavor. This tea is traditionally taken to reduce stress. Studies show that passionflower tea increases the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA in the brain. GABA is a type of amino acid that promotes a sense of calm and uplifts the mood.
A University of Maryland Medical Center study reported that when combined with other calming herbs, passionflower tea induces deeper relaxation and better sleep. A separate study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that the tea is effective in managing the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
3. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea has a light, refreshing taste and an equally invigorating aroma. This tea makes the perfect pick-me-upper because it calms the nerves and clears the mind. The secret to the calming effects of peppermint tea is its muscle-relaxing effects. The herb contains certain nutrients that alleviate tension in the muscles. This leads to an instant and deep relaxation. Peppermint tea also promotes better sleep and enhances mental alertness.
A study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience reported that the herb increases focus and concentration among participants. A separate study conducted by University of Cincinnati researchers confirmed the mind-boosting benefits of peppermint tea.
4. Valerian Root
Valerian root is traditionally used to treat sleep disorders and induce calmness. When taken as a tea, valerian root makes an excellent stress buster! A report by MedlinePlus noted that valerian is possibly effective as a treatment for insomnia and anxiety disorder. A separate study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that valerian promotes better sleep without causing any side effects. The study involved reviewing 16 studies on the effects of Valerian root.
5. Kava Tea
Kava tea is perhaps one of the most well researched herbal remedies for controlling anxiety symptoms. In fact, some scientists believe the soothing effects of kava tea are comparable to that of common anxiety drug Buspar. But unlike Buspar, kava tea is neither addicting nor cause side effects.
The herb contains kavalactones, compounds that alter the brain chemistry. Studies show that kava tea promotes calm and reduces the risk of depression and anxiety. As a natural sedative, kava tea promotes better sleep, eases muscle pain, and treats insomnia.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or health routine.