In Thailand, food forms a central part of any social occasions—and vice versa. That is, food often becomes the social occasion in itself, or reason to celebrate. This is partly due to the friendly, social nature of Thai people, but also because of the way in which food is ordered and eaten in Thailand.
In the West, a “normal” restaurant meal consists of a starter followed by the main course and dessert, with each individual ordering only for him or herself. In Thailand, there is no such thing as a starter; neither is there any dish that belongs only to one person. As a general rule, Thai diners order the same number of dishes as people present; however, all dishes are shared and enjoyed together. For this reason, it is better to have many guests at the table rather than just one or two. In fact, many Thais believe that eating alone is bad luck.
After the meal is over, there is no such thing as dispensing with leftovers. Throwing food away enrages the Thai “god of rice”, a female deity who watches over the people, ensuring everyone has enough to eat. Bad luck or even widespread famine may then ensue.
A typical Thai meal includes four main seasonings: salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. Indeed, most Thai dishes are not considered satisfying unless they combine all four tastes. When eating out, a group of Thai diners would order a variety of meat and/or fish dishes, plus vegetables, a noodle dish, and possibly also soup. Dessert may consist simply of fresh fruit, such as pineapple, or something more exotic, such as colourful rice cakes, depending on the region. (For Thai main course recipes, see: Classic Thai Recipes. For Thai desserts, see: Thai Dessert Recipes.
Aside from meals, Thais are renowned “snackers”. It is easy to pick up a quick but delicious snack for mere pennies along the roadside or at marketplaces in Thailand. Popular snacks consist of spring rolls, chicken or beef satay, raw vegetables with a spicy dip, soups, salads, and sweets. (Recipes for these and more Thai snacks can be found at: Thai Soups, Salads, Snacks & Appetizers.
The formal presentation of food is another important aspect of Thai culture. Developed primarily in the palace to please the King of Siam, Thai food presentation is among the most exquisite in the world. Serving platters are decorated with all variety of carved vegetables and fruits into flowers and other pieces of beauty (see my Thai chili flower pictured above). Palace-style stir-fries include elegantly carved vegetables within the dish itself. For such artwork, Thai chefs use a simple paring knife and ice water (the ice water prevents discoloration of the vegetables as they cut them). If you'd like to try some of this "artwork" yourself, either to decorate a party platter, or just for fun, check out: How to Create Thai Chilli Flowers.
Thai Cutlery & Eating Style
Although the Chinese brought chopsticks to Thailand long ago, today most Thais prefer to use Western cutlery, though in their own special way. Thai cutlery generally consists of a fork and large spoon. The spoon is held in the right hand and used in place of a knife.
When eating, Thais do not combine various foods on their plates, but rather, they sample one dish at a time, always eaten with a mound of Thai fragrant rice on the side. Bowls are used mainly for soup, not in place of a plate (as in China).
Historical Background & Types of Dishes
The tastes of modern-day Thailand boast an ancient history. As early as the thirteenth-century, the Thai people had established what might be considered the heart of Siamese cuisine as we know it today: various types of meat and seafood combined with local vegetables, herbs and spices such as garlic and pepper, and served with rice. Later, the Chinese brought noodles to Thailand, as well as the introduction of the most important Thai cooking tool: the steel wok.
Thai cuisine is also heavily influenced by Indian spices and flavours, which is evident in its famous green, red, and yellow curries. However, it would be nearly impossible to confuse an Indian curry with one from Thailand. Although Thai curry incorporates many Indian spices in its pastes, it still manages to maintain its own unique flavour with the addition of local spices and ingredients, such as Thai holy basil, lemongrass, and galangal (Thai ginger).
Other influences on Thai cooking may be found in the countries near or surrounding Thailand, such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia. Such plentiful and vast influences combine to create the complex taste of present-day Thai cooking—one of the fastest-growing and most popular of world cuisines today.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Thai Essential Herbs and Spices
Herbs and Spices are an essential part of Thai cooking. Used in combination, they help achieve a balance of the four essential Thai tastes: salty, sour, spicy, and sweet.
Nearly every Thai recipe begins with a paste. While it is possible to buy ready-made Thai pastes (such as red, yellow, and green curry), these packaged spice mixes will not give you the same flavor and aroma—not to mention nutrients—as a paste made from scratch.
In the Thai kitchen, pastes were traditionally made using whole spices and herbs (some fresh, others dried) pounded together with a pestle & mortar. While many Thai chefs still prefer to use this method, a food processor is a convenient and adequate substitute.
Most Thai pastes start with shallots (or onions), garlic, and green or red chilies. Added to this may be a variety of other spices and herbs, including dried or fresh coriander, Thai chili powder, galangal, green peppercorns, lemongrass, and turmeric. Kaffir lime leaves are also a common ingredient, lending a uniquely Thai flavor to pastes or simmering dishes.
Lemongrass is used in various ways in Thai cooking. For some dishes, it is chopped and pounded, other times it is simply cut into long pieces and “bruised” (bent and kneaded or even lightly cut in several places) to release the scent and flavor for soups and curries.
Galangal is a relative of ginger, as is fresh turmeric. If you can't find galangal (it's usually purchased frozen at Asian food stores in North America), you can substitute ginger. These roots (actually rhizomes) add valuable nutrients and depth of flavor to many Thai dishes.
Finally, no Thai kitchen would be complete without a good supply of fresh basil. Thais make use of several types of basil in their cooking, included sweet basil, and Thai holy basil.
Nearly every Thai recipe begins with a paste. While it is possible to buy ready-made Thai pastes (such as red, yellow, and green curry), these packaged spice mixes will not give you the same flavor and aroma—not to mention nutrients—as a paste made from scratch.
In the Thai kitchen, pastes were traditionally made using whole spices and herbs (some fresh, others dried) pounded together with a pestle & mortar. While many Thai chefs still prefer to use this method, a food processor is a convenient and adequate substitute.
Most Thai pastes start with shallots (or onions), garlic, and green or red chilies. Added to this may be a variety of other spices and herbs, including dried or fresh coriander, Thai chili powder, galangal, green peppercorns, lemongrass, and turmeric. Kaffir lime leaves are also a common ingredient, lending a uniquely Thai flavor to pastes or simmering dishes.
Lemongrass is used in various ways in Thai cooking. For some dishes, it is chopped and pounded, other times it is simply cut into long pieces and “bruised” (bent and kneaded or even lightly cut in several places) to release the scent and flavor for soups and curries.
Galangal is a relative of ginger, as is fresh turmeric. If you can't find galangal (it's usually purchased frozen at Asian food stores in North America), you can substitute ginger. These roots (actually rhizomes) add valuable nutrients and depth of flavor to many Thai dishes.
Finally, no Thai kitchen would be complete without a good supply of fresh basil. Thais make use of several types of basil in their cooking, included sweet basil, and Thai holy basil.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Beginning of Thailand's Spa
TURNING POINT
An important turning point for Thai spas came with the new millennium, almost a decade after the spa concept was first introduced to Thailand in the early 1990s. The seemingly insatiable demand for spa services attracted local and international investors. Success ignited the exponential growth of Thailand’s spa industry from 2000-2001. In just a few years, over 200 spa operators followed in the footsteps of the three pioneers: The Oriental Spa, Banyan Tree Spa and Chiva-Som International Health Resort, the country’s only destination spa. The rapid entry of new players hoping to gain a fair share of the lucrative spa pie triggered a spa boom.
With this significant increase in the number of spas around the country, the Thai Spa Association was founded. The registration of the association was approved in early 2003 and by the end of last year it consisted of 100 members representing the major players in the industry comprising spa operators, product suppliers, training schools and spa consultants. A study undertaken by Intelligent Spas reports a growth of 64 percent for the period 2000-2002. Statistics compiled by the Singapore based research company indicate that between June 2001 to June 2002 some 230 Thai spa operators attracted a total of 3.3 million spa users, out of which 2.5 million, or 79 percent of the country’s total spa clientele, were overseas spa patrons contributing a total of US$85 million to Thailand’s foreign exchange revenue.
Readership surveys and polls conducted by leading international travel, leisure and lifestyle publications also reflect a clear vote of confidence in Thai spas. Since 1999 spas in Thailand have managed to consistently secure a place in the world’s top overseas spas. In the 2003 survey conducted by Conde Nast Traveller of the UK- a leading travel and lifestyle magazine – Chiva-Som International Health Resort at Hua Hin was selected the number one overseas destination spa and Mandara Spa at JW Marriott in Phuket the best hotel spa in Asia. Other spas in Thailand that have consistently taken top spots in international surveys are Banyan Tree Spa, The Spa at Four Seasons Chiang Mai and Six Senses Spa.
The country’s reputation for outstanding service and superior spa hospitality are backed by equally solid operating results and economic performance that far exceed that of counterparts around the region. Thailand settles comfortably into its new status as the spa capital of Asia.
While the first wave of Thai spas was fuelled in part by the arrival of international operators and spa consultants who brought with them experience and expertise to establish and manage high quality spa operations, today Thai spas compete on an equal footing with international counterparts in the cosmopolitan centres and fashion capitals of the world. Quality has also attracted joint ventures and co-operative partnerships resulting in an exotic range of innovative spa products and services born of the marriage of the Thai traditional art of healing and contemporary Western spa treatments. The proliferation of spa operations found in a range of places beyond hotels, resorts, destination and medical spas prompted Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health to work towards the introduction of quality standards and a regulatory framework to ensure planned and sustainable growth.
To achieve this, the Ministry, which has assumed the role of custodian overseeing the growth and development of the spa sector, has been working in close co-operation with the Thai Spa Association and private sector operators to develop guidelines and specific standards for the Thai spa industry. The government realises that in order to inspire consumer confidence and trust in the range of products it needs to assure spa guests and visitors to Thailand that safety, hygiene, service quality and quality assurance are top priorities. The implementation of industry standards during the first quarter of 2004 will be supported by mechanisms and processes that promote the systematic improvement of these measures to ensure quality. Among the steps to be implemented are registration of all spas and the operators of the spas, as well as training for staff with tests leading to certification of therapists. The comprehensive plan also includes guidelines to ensure fair pricing.
These measures by the joint state-private sector committees ensure that future industry growth proceeds in the right direction with Thai spa operators aiming for higher standards and striving towards the achievement of global spa industry standards. Earning the official seal of approval denotes quality and constitutes added recognition and credibility every bit as important as the attainment of internationally recognised ISO service standards.
The government’s campaign to turn Thailand into the regional health-care centre focuses on three areas: hospitals for medical treatment, spas for health promotion and herbal products. Its spas have now earned a reputation for the country as the spa capital of Asia. Achieving world-class status is next on the national agenda.
IN TRENDS
The hotel/resort spa sector continues to lead the way in the growth of the local spa industry. An increasing number of hotel properties in Thailand are launching their own spa products in the coming years. Many more deluxe hotels are investing in the addition of spa facilities and will be offering in-house lines of spa products and services.
As a continuous stream of new operators enter the market, product differentiation is fundamental to maintaining competitive edge and ensuring long-term success, if not survival. An increasing number of Thai spas are developing their own lines of products that capture the exotic qualities of Thai herbs. This has contributed to a renaissance of traditional Thai herbal recipes and ancient remedies prized for the healing potency of the natural ingredients from which they are made. In the area of product development, spa experts believe that holistic healing is the best model for Thailand because it enables spa operators to tap into resources indigenous to the country and product differentiation can be achieved cost-effectively.
The key ingredients for a successful spa are the quality and variety of the services and products being offered, the price range, the friendliness and competence of the staff, design, atmosphere and ambience and cleanliness.The spa concept was imported, adopted and then adapted and refined. Over time a hybrid cross-cult spa formula with a distinctive Thai touch emerged. Offshore, there is growing international interest around the world in Thai spa expertise and the Thai spa concept, health and beauty products, particularly herbal treatments. Overseas spa operators hoping to stay ahead of the game are adding the Thai touch to their spa menus. The growing demand for highly qualified and experienced spa person-nel at spa destinations, both in Thailand and overseas, drives new business opportunities in the recruitment, training and skills development of spa staff, particularly therapists.
Thailand has long been recognised for world-class service and hospitality. Today international spa operators are looking to Thailand to lead the region in the training of spa personnel to address market need in a world where demand far outstrips supply. The Thai spa has become a much sought-after model for success and both locally and overseas, it appears the growth will continue unabated.
An important turning point for Thai spas came with the new millennium, almost a decade after the spa concept was first introduced to Thailand in the early 1990s. The seemingly insatiable demand for spa services attracted local and international investors. Success ignited the exponential growth of Thailand’s spa industry from 2000-2001. In just a few years, over 200 spa operators followed in the footsteps of the three pioneers: The Oriental Spa, Banyan Tree Spa and Chiva-Som International Health Resort, the country’s only destination spa. The rapid entry of new players hoping to gain a fair share of the lucrative spa pie triggered a spa boom.
With this significant increase in the number of spas around the country, the Thai Spa Association was founded. The registration of the association was approved in early 2003 and by the end of last year it consisted of 100 members representing the major players in the industry comprising spa operators, product suppliers, training schools and spa consultants. A study undertaken by Intelligent Spas reports a growth of 64 percent for the period 2000-2002. Statistics compiled by the Singapore based research company indicate that between June 2001 to June 2002 some 230 Thai spa operators attracted a total of 3.3 million spa users, out of which 2.5 million, or 79 percent of the country’s total spa clientele, were overseas spa patrons contributing a total of US$85 million to Thailand’s foreign exchange revenue.
Readership surveys and polls conducted by leading international travel, leisure and lifestyle publications also reflect a clear vote of confidence in Thai spas. Since 1999 spas in Thailand have managed to consistently secure a place in the world’s top overseas spas. In the 2003 survey conducted by Conde Nast Traveller of the UK- a leading travel and lifestyle magazine – Chiva-Som International Health Resort at Hua Hin was selected the number one overseas destination spa and Mandara Spa at JW Marriott in Phuket the best hotel spa in Asia. Other spas in Thailand that have consistently taken top spots in international surveys are Banyan Tree Spa, The Spa at Four Seasons Chiang Mai and Six Senses Spa.
The country’s reputation for outstanding service and superior spa hospitality are backed by equally solid operating results and economic performance that far exceed that of counterparts around the region. Thailand settles comfortably into its new status as the spa capital of Asia.
While the first wave of Thai spas was fuelled in part by the arrival of international operators and spa consultants who brought with them experience and expertise to establish and manage high quality spa operations, today Thai spas compete on an equal footing with international counterparts in the cosmopolitan centres and fashion capitals of the world. Quality has also attracted joint ventures and co-operative partnerships resulting in an exotic range of innovative spa products and services born of the marriage of the Thai traditional art of healing and contemporary Western spa treatments. The proliferation of spa operations found in a range of places beyond hotels, resorts, destination and medical spas prompted Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health to work towards the introduction of quality standards and a regulatory framework to ensure planned and sustainable growth.
To achieve this, the Ministry, which has assumed the role of custodian overseeing the growth and development of the spa sector, has been working in close co-operation with the Thai Spa Association and private sector operators to develop guidelines and specific standards for the Thai spa industry. The government realises that in order to inspire consumer confidence and trust in the range of products it needs to assure spa guests and visitors to Thailand that safety, hygiene, service quality and quality assurance are top priorities. The implementation of industry standards during the first quarter of 2004 will be supported by mechanisms and processes that promote the systematic improvement of these measures to ensure quality. Among the steps to be implemented are registration of all spas and the operators of the spas, as well as training for staff with tests leading to certification of therapists. The comprehensive plan also includes guidelines to ensure fair pricing.
These measures by the joint state-private sector committees ensure that future industry growth proceeds in the right direction with Thai spa operators aiming for higher standards and striving towards the achievement of global spa industry standards. Earning the official seal of approval denotes quality and constitutes added recognition and credibility every bit as important as the attainment of internationally recognised ISO service standards.
The government’s campaign to turn Thailand into the regional health-care centre focuses on three areas: hospitals for medical treatment, spas for health promotion and herbal products. Its spas have now earned a reputation for the country as the spa capital of Asia. Achieving world-class status is next on the national agenda.
IN TRENDS
The hotel/resort spa sector continues to lead the way in the growth of the local spa industry. An increasing number of hotel properties in Thailand are launching their own spa products in the coming years. Many more deluxe hotels are investing in the addition of spa facilities and will be offering in-house lines of spa products and services.
As a continuous stream of new operators enter the market, product differentiation is fundamental to maintaining competitive edge and ensuring long-term success, if not survival. An increasing number of Thai spas are developing their own lines of products that capture the exotic qualities of Thai herbs. This has contributed to a renaissance of traditional Thai herbal recipes and ancient remedies prized for the healing potency of the natural ingredients from which they are made. In the area of product development, spa experts believe that holistic healing is the best model for Thailand because it enables spa operators to tap into resources indigenous to the country and product differentiation can be achieved cost-effectively.
The key ingredients for a successful spa are the quality and variety of the services and products being offered, the price range, the friendliness and competence of the staff, design, atmosphere and ambience and cleanliness.The spa concept was imported, adopted and then adapted and refined. Over time a hybrid cross-cult spa formula with a distinctive Thai touch emerged. Offshore, there is growing international interest around the world in Thai spa expertise and the Thai spa concept, health and beauty products, particularly herbal treatments. Overseas spa operators hoping to stay ahead of the game are adding the Thai touch to their spa menus. The growing demand for highly qualified and experienced spa person-nel at spa destinations, both in Thailand and overseas, drives new business opportunities in the recruitment, training and skills development of spa staff, particularly therapists.
Thailand has long been recognised for world-class service and hospitality. Today international spa operators are looking to Thailand to lead the region in the training of spa personnel to address market need in a world where demand far outstrips supply. The Thai spa has become a much sought-after model for success and both locally and overseas, it appears the growth will continue unabated.
Thai spa definition
Thai spa is a kind of ancient healing methods aiming to prevent illness and heal patients by the Thai way. Thai ancestor passes this knowledge from one generation to the next generation to keep it as the Thai heritage. Now It serves the spa's guest who are searching for the rare healing arts. Some parts of Thai spa usually offered are massage,steam,scrub,mask,and bath together with using natural herbs.To complete the Thai holistic wellness, meditation and cusine are served.
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