Thai Cuisine

Thai Cuisine is the national cuisine of Thailand. Thai cooking places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. It is known for its complex interplay of at least three and up to four or five fundamental taste senses in each dish or the overall meal: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy.

History

The culinary traditions of Thailand can be traced back to the ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya, which was a global hub of trade in the 14th century. This led to a significant influence from other cuisines, particularly Chinese and Indian, which have been integrated into Thai cuisine over the centuries.

Ingredients

Thai cuisine is known for its enthusiastic use of fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices. Common flavors in Thai food come from garlic, galangal, coriander/cilantro, lemon grass, shallots, pepper, kaffir lime leaves, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and chilies. Palm sugar, made from the sap of certain Borassus palms, is used to sweeten dishes while lime and tamarind contribute sour notes.

Dishes

Thai dishes use a wide variety of ingredients, with rice being a staple component. The jasmine rice variety is indigenous to Thailand and is included in almost every meal. Other popular dishes include Pad Thai, a stir-fried noodle dish; Tom Yum Goong, a spicy shrimp soup; and Green Curry, a coconut milk-based curry dish.

Regional Variations

Thai cuisine is divided into four main regions: Central, Northern, Northeastern (Isan), and Southern. Each region has its own unique specialties and variations on common dishes. For example, Southern Thai cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, while Northern Thai cuisine features milder, soup-based dishes.

Eating Customs

Traditionally, Thai food is served family-style, with all dishes placed in the center of the table to be shared by everyone. It is common to use a spoon and fork, rather than chopsticks, to eat Thai food.

International Recognition

Thai cuisine is well-known internationally, and Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is often recognized as one of the world's top food cities.