If you know anything at all about Thai cuisine, you might have noticed that one of its most commonly used ingredients is chili. These chilies are not the same one as the western ones. These chilies may not be large, but you should never underestimate them. They pack quite a punch for something so small. Anyone who has ever tried biting into a Thai chili would know how hot and spicy they truly are. Although these chilies can make you sweat like crazy, most Thai people still love eating them on the regular.
Despite the scorching weather in Thailand, you will find chilies in most Thai dishes. It is like they cannot live without it. Here are some fun facts about this ingredient:
Many Thai dishes are not complete without chilies
As we mentioned above, chilies appear to be in many famous Thai dishes. One such dish is Tom Yum Koong or spicy prawn soup. This dish is well-known all around the world. If you have tried it in your own country before, chances are it didn’t taste as good as it would have if you had tried it in Thailand. When you come to Thailand, eating Tom Yum Koong should be on your list of things to do. It is sweet, sour, and spicy. Some people order Tom Yum Koong without chilies because they cannot handle the heat. While it is possible to order the dish that way, we don’t recommend you do that. If you do, you will not get an idea of what it’s really supposed to taste like. This does not only apply to Tom Yum Koong, but it also applies to all Thai dishes. If you really cannot eat spicy food, you can ask the chef to make it less spicy. Avoid telling them to cut out chilies completely.
They are full of vitamins
This little ingredient does not just bring the heat to your taste buds, but you will also benefit a lot from eating it. Each Thai chili is packed with various types of vitamins, such as vitamin C, B1, B2, and B3. Each of these vitamins has something important to contribute to one’s overall health. It is interesting to note that there is more than one type of Thai chili, and some of these types contain more vitamin C than a whole orange.
They are not harmful
If you are not familiar with spicy food, chances are you might get a stomachache or a burning sensation all over your mouth. In the event that you come down with either of these conditions, please remember that they are only temporary. Although you may feel like you cannot handle the heat they bring, you must know that these chilies will not harm your health at all. There are some studies that can confirm this. If you really cannot take it, try to drink milk, lemon juice, or tomato juice to alleviate the pain. Whatever you do, do not drink water, because water will just spread the burning sensation all over your mouth instead of soothing it. Another method is to apply a small amount of salt on your lips. It will make the said sensation subside, which in turn will make your mouth feel less like it’s on fire. Are you looking for the best restaurant in Thailand? Visit Indulge Bangkok today! We have a wide range of Thai dishes for you to try.