| There are many things that are | | | | foreigners. 'Maeng Lak' or hairy basil |
| characteristics of Thailand, and have | | | | (Ocimum americanum) is indispensable in |
| made a brand name for Thailand. These | | | | 'Khanom Chin Nam Ya' and 'Kaeng Riang'. |
| are Thai boxing, Thai dance, Thai silk, | | | | 'Makrut' or kaffir lime (Citrus hvstrix) |
| Thai rice, Thai fruits and of course, | | | | whose leaves are used in many Thai |
| Thai food. The ingredients that make | | | | dishes, gives a unique aroma and flavorl |
| Thai food amazing are Thai 'herbs', | | | | it is a major ingredient of the world |
| which, together with 'spices', have been | | | | famous Thai soup, known as 'Tom Yam |
| ingeniously blended in Thai cuisine. The | | | | Kung'. Like Thai spices, Thai herbs are |
| recipes of Thai food have as their main | | | | uniquely blended with Thai dishes such |
| ingredients. | | | | that they are inseoarable. 'Tom Yam |
| Although most herbs are used are used as | | | | Kung'. For example, is world famous |
| condiments or seasoning materials, Thai | | | | because it contains a blend of many |
| hers are somewhat different from all | | | | herbs (and also a few spices), among |
| other herbs. They have characteristic | | | | them kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass |
| taste and aroma that are not found in | | | | stem, limejuice and chili (the last |
| other herbs. They have characteristic | | | | three, although not the leafy nor soft |
| taste and aroma that are not found in | | | | flowering parts of plant, but are |
| other herbs. For example, 'Horapha' or | | | | treated here as herbs since they come |
| Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum), the same | | | | from fleshy part of the plant). Two |
| species as the well-known sweet basils, | | | | other related types of Thai dishes, |
| has distinct aroma and flovor from that | | | | 'Yam' and 'Phla'. Will not taste as good |
| of other sweet basils and is well suited | | | | without such herbs as kitchen mint, |
| for several Thai dishes, which cannot be | | | | lemongrass and lime. |
| replaced with other sweet basils or | | | | In addition to adding flavor to the |
| other herbal materials. These dishes | | | | dishes, most Thai herbs also provide |
| include 'Kaeng Khieo Wan', 'Kaeng Phet', | | | | health benefits from their inherent |
| 'Phat Makheua Yao', stc. Similarly, | | | | medicinal properties. Thus, it is fair |
| 'Kaphrao' or Thai holy basil (Ocimun | | | | to say that Thai herbs. With their |
| tenuiflorum), has a distinct flavor and | | | | beautiful form with nice green color, |
| aroma from other holy basil (which has | | | | are added as a flavoring, seasoning, or |
| rarely been used as herbs as herbs in | | | | garnish, making Thai dishes both tasty |
| other countries); it has made Thai | | | | and beautiful, as well as soothing the |
| dishes, such as 'Kai Pat Bai Kaphrao', | | | | gtomach with their stomach with their |
| very well known to the Thais as well as | | | | refreshing and medicinal properties. |