Red vs Green Curry
When people hear the word curry, they often think of the spicy Indian dishes that are popular worldwide. However, red curry, green curry, and yellow curry are actually terms associated with Thai cuisine. These colorful curries are a staple food in Thailand. Despite the obvious color differences, people often get confused between red and green curry because they share similar herbs and spices in their base or paste. Even so, there are notable differences between red and green curry.
Green Curry
As the name suggests, green curry is a popular Thai dish that is green in color. This hue comes from the use of green chilies in the paste, making the curry as hot as red ones. Initially, green chilies were the sole reason for the green label, but over time, other ingredients were added to enhance the green color and flavor. These additions include green coriander leaves, lime leaves, and basil. Common ingredients in Thai green curries include green eggplant, shrimp paste, garlic, lime rind, lemongrass, and shallots. These ingredients are mixed well to create a fine paste and give the curry its characteristic green color. Green curry is very popular in Thailand, with fish dumplings, beef, and chicken often served in the dish. Some people claim that green curry is the spiciest in Thai cuisine, but this is subjective and often depends on the chef’s personal preference.
Red Curry
Red curry, or kreung gaeng phet daeng in Thailand, is a widely used Thai dish characterized by its red color. Long dried red chilies are used to create this curry, along with ingredients like lime rind, lemongrass, coriander leaves, peppercorn, cumin, shrimp paste, and shallots. Fresh turmeric is typically added to give the curry a golden-red hue. Coconut milk serves as the liquid base for mixing all the ingredients. Due to the shrimp paste, red curry is not suitable for vegetarians, but there are substitutes available on the market.
Key Takeaways
- Red curry and green curry are popular Thai dishes, with the former using long dried red chilies and the latter using fresh green chilies.
- Most other ingredients in these curries are the same, but green curry often incorporates green coriander leaves, lime leaves, and basil for added color and flavor.
- Some people believe green curry is spicier than red curry, but this often depends on the chef’s personal preference.
