The Essential Flavours of Thai Cuisine

The essential ingredients which set Thai cuisine apart from the rest of the world are the key five flavours blended together in each meal. All Thai dishes follow similar rules of having hot (spicy), sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavours. Walk past stalls or markets with curries being made, and you will smell the distinct ingredients. The aromatic, spicy, and rich smells are all blended together to make Thai food incredibly addictive.

In addition to these flavours, Thais have a range of condiments to accompany the already quite spicy dishes. Nam chim or a selection of sauces are served in small containers, which have dried chilli flakes, sweet chilli sauce, nam pla phrik (fish sauce, chopped chilli, lime juice and garlic), sliced chilli in rice vinegar and sugar. Cucumber is found on the sides of a dish, to cool and cleanse the mouth, after eating fairly strong-tasting ingredients.

Anyone who has travelled to Thailand or eaten Thai food will understand the flavours being immense. The spiciness is almost unbearable to some, but after having time to cool down, the addictive nature of chillies makes you want it all over again.

It is not only rice and curry dishes which are sold in Thailand. Noodles, many different types of fish dishes, spicy salads (papaya salad), sticky rice and fried chicken or fish balls are available. Having the right blend of ingredients is highly important and one takes practise to get the balance of flavours just right, so don't be afraid to just go out and buy it if it feels a bit daunting!

There's really nothing like the authentic lend of flavours synonymous with Thai cuisine, which is why so many tourists will return to Thailand regularly for the addictive nature of Thai cuisine. You can get as close as possible to the real deal by ordering your authentic Asian ingredients online today!