Curry is a culinary staple of Thai food that refers to both the dish and the thick, pasty ingredient used to give its characteristic taste. If you’re wondering how this curry differs from other cultures’ varieties, here’s a brief history of how it came to be.

The Origins of Curry in Thai Cuisine

Before it became known for its chili pepper flavoring, curry derived its seasoning from black and white peppercorns. When the Portuguese brought chilies to Thailand as part of the trade route, these became the centerpiece of the sauces instead of black pepper.

Unlike the Indian curry dish made with dried spices, Thai curry was wet and used fresh ingredients for flavor. Thailand had numerous indigenous recipes for kaeng, a hearty stew with coconut milk, shrimp paste, different spices, and meat, which resembled the well-known curry loved by the European traders.

What Are the Common Types of Thai Curry?

When you look for curry on a Thai menu, you’ll usually have three choices: red, green, and yellow. The different colors of curry paste come from the type of chilies and ingredients used. 

• Red Curry: Red chilies in the paste give this curry its distinct fiery hue and intense heat. But over the years, the number of chilies used diminished, and they were replaced with chili powder or tomato sauce, providing a more robust flavor and richer color.

• Green Curry: Considered the most frequently used in Thai food, this curry takes on its shade from green chilies. The recent addition of herbs such as coriander, basil, and lime leaf and peel into the mixture of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and shallots make for a bold, unique taste not found in other cuisines.

• Yellow Curry: The use of turmeric gives yellow curry its golden hue, similar to that of the Indian variety. However, it differs in flavor because of added spices like coriander, yellow or red chili, lemongrass, cumin, and ginger that give a mildly spicy but sweet taste.

Have a taste of authentic curry when you dine at Noi Thai Cuisine. Located in Honolulu, HI, since 1989, they offer Thai food with a uniquely modern spin on traditional favorites, such as pad thai, curries, chicken satay, and tom yum. Call (808) 664-4039 to book a reservation at this restaurant, or check out their delectable lunch and dinner menus online.