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Curry is a vast and varied cuisine, and there are different types of Thai curry, including green curry, red curry, yellow curry, Massaman curry, Panang curry, etc, and they are all made with similar ingredients. But what does Thai curry taste like?
Every Thai Curry has its distinctive taste, from a tangy, tender taste, to super hot and spicy flavor. But the fundamentals of Thai curry is quite stable.
In this article, we will be talking about the real taste of Thai curry paste. Let’s get started!
What is Thai Curry?
Thai curry is a meal made with curry paste, coconut milk or water, meat, seafood, vegetables or fruit, and herbs in Thai cuisine. Thai curries differ from Indian curries in that they emphasize herbs and scented leaves over a spice blend.
Curries are served with rice, usually jasmine rice in central and southern Thailand and basmati rice in northern and northeastern Thailand, as well as khanom chin noodles (fermented rice noodles).
Certain curries can also be served with roti, the Thai variant of Malaysia’s roti canai, an Indian-style fried flatbread.
What Does Thai Curry Taste Like?
Most Thai curries begin with a spice basis of lemongrass, galangal, shrimp paste, and other flavorings that have been mashed into a fine paste.
The flavors that distinguish each curry are laid on top of those ingredients.
1. Green Curry
Aside from being the spiciest of all curries, the fresh green curry is also delightful, thanks to the generous use of coconut milk and lemon zest.
Green chilies and eggplant in a green spicy sauce are typical ingredients. Thai basil, green chilies, lime leaves, blue ginger, kra chai, shallots, garlic, and turmeric are all used to make the sauce.
Fresh green chilis are used in this curry, which is bright and herbaceous thanks to fresh cilantro root and kaffir lime leaves.
2. Yellow Curry
In Thailand, yellow curry exists in a range of flavors, the most typical of which is quite rich due to the use of coconut cream. Orange curry, gold curry, and elephant curry are some of the other yellow-colored variants.
The yellow curry is spicier than the gold curry. The elephant curry is hot but not spicy, and it’s cooked without coconut milk, whereas the orange curry is sour but not spicy.
Importantly, all three types of yellow curries contain a significant amount of turmeric. Yellow mustard seeds, cumin, and kaffir lime leaves are all possible additions. Yellow curry has a deep, delicious flavor and a bright yellow color thanks to turmeric and dried curry.
3. Panang Curry
Panang curry is a popular dish in central Thailand, with origins in Laos. It’s gentler and has a more subtle flavor than other Thai curries.
Crisped chilis, coconut milk, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, blue ginger, shallots, cilantro, cumin, and some paste are used to make it. It may include peanuts on occasion.
Roasted peanuts are ground right into the curry paste, giving it a nutty, mellow flavor and texture.
4. Red Curry
The “hot curry” is another name for red curry. The fiery dish hails from Thailand’s central region.
The color comes from the usage of a lot of red chilis, which are mashed with shallots, garlic, blue ginger, and lemongrass. To make a curry sauce, the red curry paste is combined with coconut milk.
The vibrant crimson curry is highly spiced with dried red chilis.
5. Massaman Curry
The Massaman curry is a popular dish in central and southern Thailand, and it is derived from Indian curry.
Red chilis, garlic, lemongrass, blue ginger, shallots, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, coriander, cumin, and cinnamon are used to make Massaman curry paste.
The sauce is then made with kaffir lime leaves and coconut milk, then garnished with potatoes and peanuts.
Massaman Curry has a gentle heat and is packed with Indian spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thai Red Curry sweet?
The sweet Vidalia onions, carrots, and coconut milk add natural sweetness to the Thai red curry, which is spicy and savory. Lime juice provides the proper acid balance, while the Thai red curry paste adds a light heat.
What differentiates Thai curry from others?
Each curry has its own color due to the color of the chiles and other components. For a very hot dish, red curry is cooked with multiple red chilies, green curry with green chilies, and yellow curry with yellow chilies.
What is the sweetest Thai curry?
Masaman curry is one of the nicest curry varieties available. It’s a Thai dish, although it’s influenced by a variety of Indian curry dishes. The taste of masaman curry originates primarily from cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, rather than spices.
What is the spiciest Thai curry?
Green Thai Curry is the spiciest of all curries, with a searing but delicious flavor that lingers in your mouth. It’s past time for people who believe red curry is the spiciest of all Thai curries to reconsider.
Conclusion
If you’re not a lover of spicy food or are just starting up with Thai cuisine, Thai yellow curry is a good place to start. In comparison to green and red curries, yellow curries are usually lighter and sweeter.
You’re ready to start your Thai culinary adventure now that you know the basics of Thai curries. There’s something for everyone in the Thai curry subcategory, with so many options!
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