Thai Herbs in Thai Food
A lot of Thai food is composed of herbs. It is the main compositions and refer to plants and vegetables including seasonings and spices. This is a unique aspect of Thai Food. Besides it has have many advantages such as used to season the odors, tastes and colour of foods and to prevent the savory of the meat. Moreover, it they contain medical characteristics. So Thai food is appropriate for good health.
And then I will talk about examples of types of Thai Herbs both medical applications and food applications.
1. Ginger
Thai people use ginger to reduce fishes smell and as well ingredients in Miang (tidbits), such as Miang Kum, Miang Pla Tou, Miang Som. It is also mix with pickling, mussels, Tia Pla, Saeng Wha, etc. Chop ginger is very tasty to fry with meat and as well Yam Pla Tu, Yam Khing, Yam Pla Kra-pong and Yam Hoy Kraeng. Pickle ginger is a good supplement to boiled rice. Ginger juice and ginger boil in syrup and mix with sweet potato are tasty desserts.
Medical application
- carminative
- antihistamine
- antibacterial, fungal, yeast, virus Food application of Ginger
-Beef Masaman
2. Lemon grass
Lemon grass is spicy and bitter. It is used for seasoning in Thai food and the main ingredient in many recipes such as Kaeng Phed, spicy salads and Tom Yam.
Medical application
- carminative
- antibacterial, fungal, yeast
- diuretic
Food application of Lemon grass
- Tom Yum Kung
- Tom Kha Kai
- Kaeng Khiao Wan Kai
- Beef Masaman
- Kai Phad Phed
- Phanaeng Kai
- Nam Ya Pla 3. Kra Prao
Kra prao or sacred basil is used in Kaeng Pha, Kaeng Kae and some spicy fried meat dishes make to reduce the savory of the fish meat. And fresh leaves are sprinkle on the food before remove from heat.
Medical application
- carminative
- reduce sugar in blood
- release tension
- stomachic
Food application of Lemon grass
- Khao Phad Kra Prao
- Khao Phad Kra
4. Pepper
You can find pepper in every kind of chili pastes, in soup with coriander root and garlic and well when sprinkle for good smell it is normally to used in cooking of Kaeng Phed, Kaeng Pa and Phad Phed.
Medical application
- carminative
- expectorant
- diuretic
- stomachic/ colic
- digestive
Food application of Lemon grass
- Kaeng Khiao Wan Kai
- Beef Masaman
- Kaeng Liang
- Kai Phad Phed
- Phanaeng Kai
- Khao Phad Kra Prao
My opinion
I think Thai herbs give you good health and it is a unique in Thai food. They have many advantages for you and they can protect you from many diseases. It is charming to attract a lot of people interesting its. In the future I think Thai herbs will be popular around the world.
Conclusion
Nowadays Thai herbs is used almost in every Thai food because it make food good smell and it has a many benefit for nutrient. Many Thai people used Thai herbs for cook in their cuisine. Moreover Thailand has many cooking school to provide basic skills sufficient to prepare a Thai meal in your own home, or training to professional standards. By Duangmanee Chaiwuth 50135-0021 Gr.1
