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Thai food is a blend of centuries-old Chinese,
Indian, Indonesian and Buddhist influences harmoniously combined into something uniquely
Thai. Thailand was the only South East Asian country not to be colonized and this
has left its cuisine more intact. There were however, culinary influences by the
Portuguese, Dutch, French and Japanese over time in Thai food. The most notable
introduction by the Portuguese was the chili in the late 1600’s.
Originally,
Thai cuisine mainly consisted of seafood and vegetables and grain. Aquatic animals, plants
and herbs were major ingredients in ancient Thailand. The Indians brought in their spices,
the Buddhist a tradition of more vegetarian foods, the chinese gave Thailand the noodles
and the many tastes and seasonings in the dish. There was no tradition of having
large chunks of meat in Thai cuisine as killing animals did not agree with the Buddhist
conscience. Thai meats are cut into thin stripes or small chunks and are seasoned well so
as to embellish meats of sacrificed animals. Today, however poultry, pork and more and
more cattle can be found in Thai markets. Mutton and veal are scarce and not very accepted
in Thai cuisine.
Thai cuisine is pungent and spicy, seasoned with garlic and chilies and has a freshness to
it by the addition of lime juice, lemon grass, basil, galangal root, ginger and fresh
coriander. Peanuts and coconut milk add a smooth texture and taste to the dishes and
tamarind and palm sugar add the sweet and sour taste. A number of basic shrimp pastes and
fish sauces anchor many dishes. Coriander/cilantro leaf is sprinkled on everything and of
course rice is eaten with most meals.
Hot and sour soups, red, green and yellow curries, condiments, dipping sauces, fresh
salads, fresh fruit, fruit juices, crunchy vegetables, fresh sugarcane juice, are all part
of the Thai table. The meal is followed by sweet desserts and/or fresh fruits such as
guavas, mangos, durians, Longans, rambutants, mangosteens, jackfruit, papaya, grapes or
melon. Lime is the principal ingredient in one of the most popular and refreshing drinks
of Thailand.
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