33 Thai Spices List | Complete Guide for Thai Herbs and Spices

Get ready for a flavorful adventure as we explore the exotic and diverse Thai Spices List that will awaken you and ignite your taste buds!

From the fiery heat of bird’s eye chilies to the fragrant aroma of lemongrass, Thai cuisine is renowned for its use of a diverse range of spices that awaken the senses and excite the palate. So, if you’re ready to embark on a delicious journey of discovery, let’s explore the rich and exotic Thai Spices List that will take your taste buds on an unforgettable adventure!

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Thai Spices List

1. Lemongrass (Ta-krai)

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass is a fragrant and citrusy herb commonly used in Thai cuisine to add a refreshing and tangy flavor to dishes. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

Learn How to Grow Lemongrass from Seed here

2. Pandan Leaves (Bai Toei)

Botanical Name: Pandanus amaryllifolius

Elevate your culinary creations with the aromatic and versatile Pandan Leaves from the Thai Spices List. Use them to add a subtle, sweet flavor to your dishes or as a natural food colorant to create vibrant green hues to impress your guests.

Check out Clever Ways To Use Spices and Herbs In The Garden here

3. Galangal (Kha)

Botanical Name: Alpinia galanga

Galangal is a pungent and slightly sweet root spice that is commonly used in Thai curries and soups to add depth and complexity to the dish.

4. Kaffir Lime Leaves (Bai ma-grood)

Botanical Name: Citrus hystrix

Kaffir lime leaves are a fragrant herb used in Thai cooking to add a citrusy and floral flavor to dishes, particularly curries, and soups.

5. Thai Basil (Horapha)

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora

Thai basil is a sweet and aromatic herb that is commonly used in Thai cuisine to add a licorice-like flavor to dishes, particularly stir-fries, and curries. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

Here are Important Basil Harvesting Tricks No One Ever Told You

6. Cilantro (Pak chee)

Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum

Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a leafy herb used in Thai cuisine to add a bright and fresh flavor to dishes, particularly soups, and salads.

Here are the Best Cilantro Companion Plants

7. Chili Pepper (Prik)

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum

Chili peppers are a key ingredient in Thai cuisine, used to add heat and depth of flavor to dishes such as curries and stir-fries.

8. Turmeric (Khamin)

Botanical Name: Curcuma longa

Turmeric is a vibrant yellow spice used in Thai cuisine to add color and a warm, earthy flavor to dishes such as curries and soups. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

Learn Using Turmeric in the Garden here

9. Coriander Seeds (Rak phak chee)

Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum

Coriander seeds are a spice used in Thai cooking to add a nutty, citrusy flavor to dishes such as curries and marinades.

10. Cumin (Yira)

Botanical Name: Cuminum cyminum

Cumin is a spice commonly used in Thai cuisine to add a warm and earthy flavor to dishes such as curries and soups. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

11. Pandanus Screwpine Essence (Nam Bai Toey)

Botanical Name: Pandanus amaryllifolius

If you want to add a unique flavor and aroma to your dishes, try Pandanus Screwpine Essence from the Thai Spices List. This essence is extracted from the leaves of the pandan plant and has a sweet, nutty, and floral flavor.

Check out Spices You Can Grow in Pots here

12. Garlic (Krathiam)

Botanical Name: Allium sativum

Garlic is a pungent and savory spice used in Thai cooking to add depth and complexity to dishes such as stir-fries and curries.

13. Shallots (Hom daeng)

Botanical Name: Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Shallots are a mild and sweet spice used in Thai cuisine to add a subtle onion-like flavor to dishes such as curries and stir-fries.

14. Ginger (Khing)

Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale

Ginger is a warm and fragrant spice that adds a zesty and slightly sweet flavor to dishes such as soups and stir-fries. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

Check out Types of Ginger Plants here

15. Mace (Kan Bua)

Botanical Name: Myristica fragrans

Mace, a spice made from the outer layer of the nutmeg seed, is a lesser-known but essential ingredient on the Thai Spices List. Its warm and slightly sweet flavor makes it a great addition to baked goods, stews, and marinades.

16. Star Anise (Phet luk chin)

Botanical Name: Illicium verum

Star anise is a spice used in Thai cooking to add a licorice-like flavor to dishes such as curries and marinades.

17. Cinnamon (Ob choei)

Botanical Name: Cinnamomum verum

Cinnamon is a spice commonly used in Thai cuisine to add a warm and sweet flavor to dishes such as curries and desserts. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

Here are some of the most amazing uses of cinnamon in the garden! 

18. Nutmeg (Luk phat)

Botanical Name: Myristica fragrans Houtt.

Nutmeg is a warm and nutty spice used in Thai cooking to add a complex and aromatic flavor to dishes such as soups and stews.

19. Lemongrass Powder (Sa-rai)

Infuse your dishes with the bright and refreshing flavor of lemongrass with the help of Lemongrass Powder from the Thai Spices List. This powder is a convenient alternative to fresh lemongrass and can be used in various recipes, from soups to marinades.

Learn How to Grow Lemongrass from Seed here

20. Thai Long Pepper (Deuan Cha)

Botanical Name: Piper Longum

If you’re a fan of black pepper, you’ll love the Thai Long Pepper from the Thai Spices List. These peppers are slightly sweeter than black pepper and have a complex flavor with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove.

21. White Pepper (Prik thai)

White pepper is a mild and slightly floral spice commonly used in Thai cuisine to add subtle heat and depth of flavor to dishes such as soups and stir-fries.

22. Black Pepper (Prik dum)

Black pepper is a pungent and earthy spice commonly used in Thai cuisine to add a strong and bold flavor to dishes such as curries and marinades. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

Check out Different Types of Pepper here

23. Cardamom (Glui kra-dok)

Botanical Name: Elettaria cardamomum

Cardamom is a warm and aromatic spice used in Thai cooking to add a complex and slightly sweet flavor to dishes such as curries and marinades.

24. Cinnamon Basil (Horapha Juk)

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum var. cinnamon

Take your taste buds on a journey with the unique and fragrant Cinnamon Basil from the Thai Spices List. This herb has a sweet and spicy flavor, and its leaves look almost like a hybrid between Thai basil and mint.

25. Cloves (Kanphluu)

Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum

Cloves are a strong and pungent spice used in Thai cuisine to add a warm and slightly sweet flavor to dishes such as curries and stews.

Learn How to Grow Cloves here

26. Bay Leaves (Bai kra wan)

Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis

Bay leaves are a fragrant herb commonly used in Thai cooking to add a subtle and floral flavor to dishes such as curries and soups. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

27. Thai Bird’s Eye Chili (Prik Kee Noo)

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum ‘Bird’s Eye’

Add heat to your dishes with the fiery Thai Bird’s Eye Chili in the Thai Spices List. These tiny peppers pack a powerful punch and are a staple in many Thai recipes.

28. Sweet Basil (Horapha)

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum

Sweet basil is a leafy herb commonly used in Thai cuisine to add a sweet and slightly licorice-like flavor to dishes such as stir-fries and curries.

Check out the Best Basil Varieties here

29. Dried Chili Flakes (Prik pon)

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum

Dried chili flakes are a spicy and versatile ingredient used in many Thai dishes to add heat and depth of flavor. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

30. Holy Basil (Bai Krapao)

Botanical Name: Ocimum tenuiflorum

The Thai Spices List wouldn’t be complete without Holy Basil, which adds a distinct, peppery taste to any dish. Whether you’re making stir-fries or curries, Bai Krapao is a must-have.

Check out the Best Flowering Basil Plants here

31. Mustard Seeds (Rak kao)

Botanical Name: Brassica juncea

Mustard seeds are a pungent and slightly bitter spice used in Thai cooking to add a bold and complex flavor to dishes such as curries and marinades.

32. Fennel Seeds (Yira khom)

Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel seeds are a sweet and slightly anise-like spice used in Thai cuisine to add a subtle and complex flavor to dishes such as soups and stews. It is one of the best on our Thai Spices List.

33. Sichuan Pepper (Prik Thai)

Botanical Name: Zanthoxylum simulans

If you want to add a unique twist to your Thai recipes, try using Sichuan Pepper from the Thai Spices List. This spice has a unique citrusy and numbing effect on the tongue, which makes it a popular addition to spicy soups and curries.

Learn How to Grow Black Pepper Plant here