Tastes of Thailand
Few culinary experiences can compare to the visually delightful,
flavorful, deliciously fragrant tastes of Thailand. They are guaranteed to
take hold of all your senses and transport you to this wonderfully diverse
land. Thai food has become widely popular throughout the world.
Aromatic and delicious, it is a taste explosion in every bite.
Thai food contains
four flavors: sweet,
sour, salty, and spicy.
What makes Thai
food unique is that it
balances all of these
flavors harmoniously
into a single dish.
And, while the cuisine
has a reputation for
being hot and spicy,
in reality most dishes
The distinctive flavors of the dishes which usually include natural
ingredients such as coriander, coconut milk, scallions, lemon grass,
tamarind and palm sugar, are the result of a special national talent
for blending a great variety of local produce, spices and herbs. It is not
surprising that Thai food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines.
For many years, the fabulous cuisine of Thailand has been represented
by a host of casual dining restaurants mostly run by small "mom and
pop" businesses. But more and more those restaurants are being joined
by a growing circle of chefs and restaurant owners
who are intent on expanding the distinctive
culinary style into the realm of fine
dining.
To properly experience a Thai
meal it must be served the "Thai
way". Instead of having a single
main course with side dishes, a
typical meal consists of rice with
many complementary dishes
served concurrently.
The rice is served on individual plates. The rest of the dishes are put in the middle of the table for everyone to share and may be eaten in almost any order. In this way, you can season them to best suit your taste by using several condiments such as fish sauce and chili peppers which are usually provided on the table. A properly prepared Thai meal is a feast for all your senses. Emphasis is placed on creating harmony in the rich tastes, varied textures, visual presentations and sensuous aromas. Your palate will thank you for each delicious mouthful.
