Taste

Taste

The Flavours of Asia

There is no doubt that one of the highlights of any visit to Asia is it’s cuisine which is as varied and interesting as any other with a rich variety of influences throughout. With much of the population involved in agriculture there is good reason why food has the all important commodity around which life revolves.

The people of East and South East Asia enjoy such a rich variety of flavours and their meals may be simple arrangements of single dishes or more complex settings involving several dishes. Food prepared in an age old fashion still exists alongside modern fusion food which has become an interesting development to the culinary scene over recent years in major tourist centres. Rice and noodles taken in various form, are common throughout Asia and these would make up the staple foods of most countries. Fish, poultry and meats are included along with fresh vegetables and herbs to add flavour and increase nutrition.

Visitors to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam will experience some of the most tantalizing taste experiences involving lemongrass, galangal, lime, chilli and fish sauce which may combine in various ways to titillate the senses. The curries of Myanmar will invade your taste buds like no other and spicy Balinese sambals might excite you even more. Lastly Chinese cuisine is as varied as any and famous worldwide. Within China many regions are famous for their cuisine while across Asia the influence of the Chinese may be seen everywhere.

Asia is also home to an amazing variety of fruit which adds further enhancement to the cuisines of each country. Fruit is always on hand to cleanse the palate after a good meal. Succulent lychee, rambutan, longan, pineapple and roseapple compete with banana, guava, durian and papaya as the fruit of choice.

To give justice to Asian foods here is not possible in a few words. But anyone visiting our wonderful region will surely experience an amazing variety of tastes and textures to arrest ones senses. The culinary experience of Asia is definitely a highlight and one that will not disappoint.