Thai food is known for its incredible aromatic flavors, thanks to using a plethora of herbs and spices.
However, Thai herbs aren’t just great for your taste buds. They can have amazing health benefits too!
If you would like to know more about the benefits of eating Thai herbs, then please read our guide. We will show you the best herbs to add to your cooking to give you both great flavors and look after your health.
1. Coriander
This popular, aromatic herb is a key component of many Thai recipes. They often call for both the leaf and the root, and they each have different taste effects in a dish.
Many people have a love it or hate it relationship with Coriander (or Cilantro in the United States), with some people finding the taste too bitter for their tastes.
However, if you already love Thai food, there is a good chance you love Coriander too.
You will find coriander in most Thai dishes such as Khao Mok Gai and Thai Egg Fried Rice.
Coriander is full of antioxidants and is good for heart and brain health as well as lowering blood sugars naturally.
2. Sweet Basil
Another popular herb in Thai cooking is Sweet Basil, sometimes known as Thai Basil. This herb tastes and smells like anise and is a core component of Thai cooking.
Don’t mix up this Thai Basil herb with Lemon or Holy Basil which is also used in Thai cooking. Their tastes are very different, and it will change your dish’s flavor profile considerably.
Basil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins and is great for heart and gut health.
3. Mint
Mint is used in many Thai dishes, often as a flavor enhancer or garnish. It is also prevalent in dessert dishes too. Its name in Thai is Bai Saraneh.
You will find mint in lemongrass tea as it adds to the sweet, scented flavor. Mint is used extensively in Thai cooking, and if you visit the best Thai restaurant in Seattle, you can find it in our traditional salad, the Larb Gai.
Mint has many health benefits especially related to digestion, where it can help soothe an irritable bowel and bring relief to people with indigestion.
4. Ginger
Ginger is a key ingredient in Thai curries to help give them an extra kick. This spice has a very recognizable and distinct flavor.
As well as being delicious, it is also extremely healthy, with countless benefits from consuming it, including reducing nausea, aiding digestion, and fighting the flu and common colds.
For these reasons, ginger has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries.
5. Krachai
This traditional eastern herb, called fingerroot in English due to its long, finger-like appearance, is a type of ginger root used across numerous Asian cuisines.
It comes in fish curries like Kaeng Tai Pla or sometimes raw as a side dish.
It has many oral healing properties, such as treating mouth ulcers. It also has aphrodisiac qualities.
Know Your Thai Herbs
This is just a taster of some of the main Thai herbs used in our cuisine. There are many more for you to discover and enjoy. Just look in at your local Asian market or the nearest Thai restaurant.
If you are looking for fantastic Thai food in downtown Seattle, then please check out our menu.