Thai Food Articles

     Hot, spicy and delicious are good ways to describe the taste of Thai food which is well-known throughout the world. The first thing that people think of when they think of Thai cooking is 'chillies'. A great seasoning, chillies appear in many Thai dishes .One of the most famous is 'Tom Yam Goong' ( Spicy Prawn Soup). While everyone knows that chillies can be hot, they sholud be also know that they are full of vitamins and promote good health. And the bright color of the chillie helps to make Thai food so appetizing.

     Chilli spice originates from 'Capsaisin'. The spice maintains its original flavour when processed in various way. There is chilli powder or chillies in vinegar. And though chillies are known to be spicy. They have different tastes and heat. Sometimes chillies are tasted on the lips or in the mouth and some when swallowed. Big doesn't always mean more powerful. In the case of chillies usually the smaller the chilli the hotter the tase.

 

     Chillies are originally from South America and first came to Thailand in 1511 with the Portugese merchants. Chillies then became part of the Thai kitchen. Thai use chillies in various ways. For example, if you want to make a spicy salad, just smash chop or mince chillies and mix them up with Thai fish sauce, and you have a savoury Thai salad. Mixed with shrimp paste to make chillies dip, they will give the spice and fantastic smell. Fresh chillies are also good with deep fried or grilled meat and smoked chillies or dried chillies go well with noodle soup.

     Some people believe that the chilli spice blunt the taste buds, but actually it's the Capsaisin in chillies that stimulates the sensation in the mouth and enhances the flavour.

     Capsaisin is a very good medicine for flu and can dissolve congestion in the throat. Today Capsaisin is added to balms which helps soothe pain and serious irritation. Chillies help blood circulation system work better and prevent clotting. We now know that people who eat spicy food are more likely to have clearer arteries than those who do not.

     Chilles do not only make the food more tasty and colorful, but also there are a lot of vitamins in them such as vitamin C,B1,B2 and B3. Some types of chillies even have 6 times more vitamin C than oranges.

     However, researches indicate that chilli spice has no harm . If you have a stomachache or feel hot all over your mouth after having some chillies, just take tomato juice, lemon juice or milk. It does help. Taking a lot of water does not help soothing the mouth burn. It actually will spread the spice over the body. Anyway, another Thai method which works is to take some salt or apply it around your lips, then you'll feel much better.