The Origins of Thai Cuisine

Thai cuisine has a long history, with its origins drawing from neighboring countries including Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia.Although Thailand's neighboring countries have a significant influence on Thai cuisine, it is worth noting that the nearby regions also play a crucial role in shaping the country's culinary landscape. Apart from countries that share borders with Thailand, there are other nations such as India, China, and Indonesia that have had a considerable impact on Thai cuisine. These countries have not only influenced Thai cooking techniques but have also contributed to the flavors and spices that are commonly used in Thai dishes. As a result, it is possible to identify many similarities in the tastes and styles of cooking between these countries and Thai cuisine.

It's fascinating to consider how the cuisine of Thailand has been shaped by regional influences. For example, if we look at the southern region of the country, we find that its famous curries - featuring coconut milk and turmeric - have been heavily influenced by neighboring countries such as India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In the north of Thailand, the cuisine shows similarities with the culinary traditions of Myanmar, Laos, and China, while in the northeastern region of Isan, we can see the influence of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It's worth noting that the history of Thai Royal Cuisine can be traced back to the cosmopolitan palace cuisine of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767 CE).

Thailand's cuisine is well known for its many uses of spices and herbs. There are five main flavors in Thai cuisine: salty, sweet, spicy, sour, and creamy. Typically, many of the Thai dishes will include many of these flavor’s all in the same dish, though there will be varying levels to each layer. Thai cuisine is known to include various pastes and sauces and is definitely known to not stray away from heat with its many uses of different chilies.

Common Thai Cooking Equiptment

• Pestle & Mortar

A deep bowl, often made out of clay/marble or granite, along with a blunt club-shaped object that's used to crush/mix ingredients together.

• Coconut Grater

A wooden stool with a metal-teeth blade attached to it's end thats used for grating coconut meat.

• Papaya Shredder

A hand utensil with a metal blade attached to it's end that's used for mostly peeling green papaya.

• Wok

A deep cooking pan typically made from steel or brass that's used for cooking at very high temperatures.