Red curry vs. green curry, the war will never end! Haha! We foodies are the main victim of this war. Jokes apart, which one is your favorite? Well, I personally like the green curry more than the red one.
Why? I am Indian. I love spicy food, but the spice level the red Thai curry has is just on another level. I ordered it once, thinking that I was a boss and could handle it. But I was wrong.
After having a few spoons, I felt like I’m spitting fire. That day, I realized that we should not be overconfident. Haha! Thanks to the green curry, which came to my rescue and I was saved.
So, was the green curry not spicy? It was spicy too. I just told them to lower the spice level. Is there any taste difference? Yes, absolutely.
Green curry is mild but spicy, too; it has a lot more freshness as a variety of green spices and herbs are put in it. On the other hand, red curry has a rich color and a strong flavor.
But why is it red? Obviously, because of the red chilies. If you look at the recipe for the authentic Thai red curry, you’ll see that the red chilies are ground to make a paste. The paste is made in stone pots, so the color stays intact.
But what about Indian curries? Wait! I’ll tell you everything one by one. First, let’s discuss the Thai Curries in greater detail.
Which Curry Wins the Race?
So, the winner of the red curry vs. green curry battle is… green curry. To be honest, both curries are excellent and unique in their own way. But for me, the winner is green curry because I liked it more than the red one.
But it does not mean in any way that red curry is bad or not preferable. There are a lot of people with good spice tolerance, and they prefer the red one.
So, is spice the only difference between green curry and red curry? Not at all.
There is certainly a difference in flavors, ingredients, aroma, etc. But never ever think that Green Thai curry is not spicy. I don’t want you to order one and then pant like a dog.
It is hell spicy but not as much as the red one. If you have a lower spice tolerance but you want to try the curry, you need to give them instructions about lowering the spice intensity, and you are good to go.
Difference Between Thai Green Curry & Red Curry
The reason I say that the battle between red curry and green curry is irrelevant is that I think both curries have their own beauty.
Green curry has freshness, and red curry has a rich flavor. The ingredients of green curry are as follows –
- Green chilies
- Coconut milk
- Veggies
- Lemon grass
- Thai basil
- Garlic
- Chicken or turkey
- Shrimp paste, etc.
The ingredients of the red curry are like this –
- Red bell pepper
- Red chili paste
- Pork, chicken, or tofu
- Ginger
- Soy sauce, etc.
So, you see! The difference is visible when you look at the ingredients.
Now, let’s talk about the Indian Red and green curry and see what India has to say about its cuisine.
Indian Red and Green Curries
The battle of red curry vs. green curry ends here. Why? Because when it comes to Indian red and green curry, both are north and south. The ingredients aren’t the same, and the taste is obviously not the same.
Chicken Hariyali or Dhaniya Chicken is completely different from butter chicken. So, where the difference lies? The difference lies in the ingredients and the making process.
In addition, there are some white chicken curries too, which are as spicy as the red ones.
Indian green curries have a lot of mint and coriander leaves. The absence of turmeric is there. I know turmeric gives the yellow color, but it is also responsible for the rich red color of the red curries.
So, what about the red one? The prominence of red chili, garam masala, coriander and, cumin seeds, turmeric is there.
Indian people use mustard oil or butter to make these curries. It ultimately eliminates the sweet taste that Thai curries have because they have coconut milk in them.
Apart from the color and taste, the difference between Thai and Indian curry also lies in the making process.
Do you know what Thai curry is known for? It is known for its freshness. The vegetables are semi-cooked to keep their health properties and flavor intact.
Indian curries are known for their rich flavor and aroma. This flavor comes from a variety of spices that people use. You cannot even imagine how many types of spices there are.
Starting from dry roasting the spices to frying the vegetables in different spices before preparing the curry, Indian food is known for its complexity. Obviously, this complexity contributes to the taste a lot.
What else? The consistency of the curry is also different. Indian curries are a lot thicker than Thai ones. Thai curries are thin because of the use of milk. On the other hand, Indian curries are thick because of the use of chopped onions, onion, and tomato paste.
Yes, the prominence of tomato is also a reason behind the rich color of Indian red curry.
Wrapping Up
Indian people believe in the saying you are what you eat. The more colors you eat, the healthier you become. That’s why they put a lot of colorful vegetables and spices in the dishes.
Hmmm, it reminds me of Fish curry my aunt made for me. It is one of the most famous foods of Maharashtra. I love both the curries, my Indian one, and obviously the Thai curries.
Both of them are unique. I love the sweetness of the Thai curries, along with the spiciness. On the other hand, the blast of flavors in my mouth when I taste the Indian curries is just outstanding!
