Thailand has something to offer every individual; to suit a variety of tastes and lifestyles of high-value tourists and shoppers to very important businessmen to laid-back backpackers. Flavourful, diverse and wholesome, authentic Thai cuisine is so loved and admired, that restaurants serving Thai food are found in almost every other country on every continent outside the country.
This cuisine is carefully prepared; it is vital that each dish is perfected and balanced into five fundamental taste senses to be hot, sour, sweet, salty and sometimes bitter. It varies in each of its four main regions. The main course of a traditional meal of the region is, like in most Asian countries, rice. Most often, it is long-grain rice (also known as jasmine rice) that is used whilst in some regions; short-grain and sticky rice is preferred. Steamed rice is accompanied by a variety of meat, seafood and vegetable based curries, stir-fries and sauces. These dishes are made using a wide range of spices, sauces, fresh herbs and other dry ingredients. Whilst chicken and pork are used very often in Thai cuisine, seafood is a vital component of the Thai staple diet.
This cuisine also calls for many different types of fish sauces and shrimp paste to complete most dishes. Soup and dips are also commonly eaten by Thai people. What makes Thai dishes so distinctive in taste is its use of many indigenous ingredients, including lemon grass, coconut milk, tamarind, black pepper, galangal, ginger, garlic, basil, cilantro, kaffir lime, palm sugar, turmeric, cumin, shallots, green onions and most importantly, chillies. Other commonly used ingredients include five-spice powder and curry powders and pastes. Vegetarians will find many dishes to their liking, as authentic Thai cuisine uses nutritious vegetables such as eggplant, broccoli, cabbages, bean sprouts, sweet potatoes and mushrooms. Authentic Thai desserts most often use rice and coconut that is sweetened and served with fruits and sweet-tasting vegetables. Fresh fruits such as papaya, mango, banana, pineapple, durian and lychees are also eaten frequently as desserts.
Authentic Thai dishes are most often stir-fried and steamed and packed in banana leaves to preserve their freshness. Thai food is generally eaten with a fork, knife and a spoon. Although each dish uses an abundance of oils, sauces and flavour enhancers, it is eaten in small quantities. This is evident in the very low levels of obesity found amongst the people of Thailand.
Thai cuisine is available in many restaurants around the world. However, nothing beats the dining experience you will have in Thailand itself. Many
hotels in Thailand serve authentic Thai food and are also located in city areas that are crowded with street food stalls and food vendors. With a large number of
hotel specials on offer year-round, you will find accommodation easily in Thailands most popular regions. The Millennium & Copthorne Hotels in Thailand are an ideal choice for any visitor to Thailand, especially if you are looking forward to indulging in some of the best gastronomical delights Thailand has to offer.
