The Colors of Curry: Choosing the Best Thai Curry Paste for Your Dish

The unique flavors of Thai curry dishes simply cannot be encapsulated in a few words. Either you’re in for a sweet ride, a fiery hot adventure, or a spiced up turmeric-infused dining experience, there’s really no in-between.

Contrary to popular belief, not all curry pastes are spicy. While all Thai curries comprise of chilis, it would be a big mistake to think they’re all the same. The secret behind the vibrant colors of curry actually lies on the color of the ingredients used, particularly chili! Red curry uses red chilis, yellow curry uses yellow chili and turmeric, while green curry uses green herbs and spices. Sounds simple, right?

Not so fast. Curry-based dishes constantly evolve thanks to the introduction of several herbs and ingredients like cilantro, galangal, lemongrass, and ginger among many others. This unpredictability is exactly why Thai curry dishes have found a sweet spot in the hearts of many all around the world.

We’ll give you a lowdown on the Colors of Curry with the help of Mae Ploy's Curry Products, so you know your best curry pick when you want to spice up your meals!

1. Green Curry Paste

Let’s start with the Thai crowd favorite and the spiciest of them all. Fresh and aromatic herbs like cilantro, lime leaf and peel, and basil have contributed to the vibrant color of green curry. Blended with some coconut milk, green chili, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, and shallots, you’ve got yourself a spicy paste that’s countered perfectly with creaminess from the coconut milk. Common Thai dishes that use this is Thai green curry chicken, beef, or green curry soup. If it’s your first time taking a dip into the world of curry flavors, go big or go home! We’re giving you the green light on green curry.

2. Yellow Curry Paste 

 Let’s tone it down to something milder. True to its Indian roots, Thai yellow curry incorporates turmeric as one of its base ingredients, giving it its bright golden hue. Coriander seeds, cumin, lemongrass, and ginger make up the rest of its ingredients for that sweet and tangy mix of flavors. No overwhelming flavors here, just an enjoyable paste that you shouldn’t miss. Spice up your regular chicken dish with yellow curry and add some carrots and potatoes for a chicken stew that’ll pleasantly warm your tummies.

3. Red Curry Paste 

4. Panang Curry Paste 

Panang Curry is a type of red curry paste that’s thick and sweet, with hints of nutty flavors. It particularly uses dried red chili peppers for maximum spiciness, along with galangal, coriander, kaffir lime zest, cumin seeds, shrimp paste, and peanuts. Thick coconut milk is usually added on top of the dish to balance out the taste. Pork and beef are the usual meat pairings for Panang curry. Don’t forget to serve it with white rice to further counter any overwhelming taste. 

5. Massaman Curry Paste 

Massaman Curry is a rich yet relatively mild-tasting paste that is influenced by Persian cuisine. Massaman Curry is born out of a clever fusion of uncommon Thai cuisine spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cumin, bay leaves, nutmeg to the usual curry mix of dried chili peppers, coriander, lemongrass, and more. Originally used in Islamic cuisines, Massaman best goes with chicken and less commonly with pork. 

Get the Mae Ploy Curry Paste That's Perfect for Your Dish

Add these excitingly exotic and uniquely flavored Mae Ploy curry products to your kitchen pantry. Either your curry dish requires Green, Yellow, Red, Panang, or Massaman Curry Paste, you'll surely enjoy these heat adding pastes that will suite your discerning taste. For more curry paste products visit our Thai market at Karman Foods! See also our Asian products at our Asian Market.