Herbs are an every day part of Thai life. Ingredients that are essential in Thai cooking are spices and herbs, which, beside their aromatic quality, are known to have diverse health benefits.
Thai food is globally popular due to its flavors. The flavors of Thai food are quite different to those of any other cuisine. A mixture of fresh and dried ingredients makes Thai food flavors unique. Ingredients that are essential in Thai cooking are spices and HERBS, which beside their aromatic quality, are known to have diverse health benefits. Herbs be used as main seasoning in Thai Cooking. Thai Food unique because combination of various herbs which result in both food flavors and its aromas.
Herbs or Spices ?
Herbs and Spices always mention together. They involve in Thai cooking and being medicine.
Spice is a part of plant which has been dried before use for cooking such as Pepper (Prik-thai), Cinnamon (Ob-chey), Cardamon (Kra-wan). Most of Spices is dried plant from tropical zone. Strong odor of spice can enhances the aroma of Thai food.
Herbs (for cooking) mean fresh plant found in tropical countries. Its can be green leave, which mainly used for enhances food flavors and aroma. Most of herbs not used as main ingredient, this point made herbs distinguish from vegetable. Moreover herbs must have medicinal properties from traditional Thai medicine or modern research.
Thai Herbs : The Secret of Thai Food
Thai Herbs give both delicious flavor and unique aroma to Thai food. Thai Food is known for its balance of five fundamental flavors in each dish or the overall meal - sour, bitter, sweet, hot (spicy) and salty. Except salty, other four flavors come from herbs.
