The Effects of Food on Thai Cultures: Part Four
by This is the fourth part of a multi part article that looks in depth at the effects food has played in the cultures found in the lands currently known as Thailand. In this part rice and Thailand are discussed. Included is an interview with a rice farmer.
Rice
Rice is a grain that accounts approximately 1/5th of the of the world populations calorie intake and is therefore an extremely important crop. In Thailand this importance is even more so as it is the staple food and also contributes billions of Baht to the nation’s economy through exports and creates millions of jobs for the country’s citizens.
The rice starts its journey in the fields, the majority of which can be found around the low-lying fertile plains that surround the Chao Praya River and in the north-east region. In areas that aren’t irrigated by rivers and canal systems, only one crop can be harvested per year. Areas that are irrigated can produce two, sometimes threes crops per year. The harvested rice, known as a paddy, is then sent to a mill where its outer covering (husk) is removed and it can then be exported or sold within the country. This process of producing rice creates many jobs for labourers, farmers, millers and truck drivers. If the rice is consumed inside the country many more jobs are created and rice sellers, restaurants owners, street vendors, chefs and waiter’s all reap the benefit of the invaluable crop.
Image by George Eastman House via Flickr
Rice is an extremely versatile food that is used to make a variety of meals, desserts, snacks and alcoholic beverages. In Thailand rice is eaten at breakfast in the form of a porridge called jok (โจก), at mealtimes with curries and stir fried vegetables, and for those with a sweet tooth as a dessert such as mango and sticky rice. Noodles are also popular and these are made from rice flour.
Sato (สาโท) is an alcoholic drink made by distilling rice. It can be bought legally from shops but farmers prefer to make their own. This in itself is not illegal, but selling this moonshine is.
Thais are taught the importance of rice from an early age and never waste it. The country’s main religion is Buddhism but there are still ancient animalistic beliefs. Mae Prosob (แม่โพสพ) is the goddess of rice and the Thais look after her by feeding her in the dry season. Whenever a mill purchases rice, it will always give back a handful of rice to the farmer so that her soul isn’t lost.
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