Svenn Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 hi all, i've been trying to make som tam over the last few weeks here in usa, and i've done everything to the book with three different papayas and different times. i keep getting this nasty, bitter, orange-peel like taste in the som tam everytime, and i know that it's not right because i've never tasted it before in thailand or in thai restaurants here in usa. I checked everything- i ate a papaya shred raw- no problem there, the limes are fresh, tomatoes are fresh, fish sauce is fresh, etc., everything is new and tastes fine on itself, but when i combine them, i get that bitter taste, like i said, most akin to gnawing on an orange peel after brushing your teeth or something... Maybe the exported papayas are just too old or something? i'm eating my latest version now, this one tastes better, i used a smaller papaya this time, but i still taste it a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binnsy Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 put the chillies in last Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GENeIsUS Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 hi all,i've been trying to make som tam over the last few weeks here in usa, and i've done everything to the book with three different papayas and different times. i keep getting this nasty, bitter, orange-peel like taste in the som tam everytime, and i know that it's not right because i've never tasted it before in thailand or in thai restaurants here in usa. I checked everything- i ate a papaya shred raw- no problem there, the limes are fresh, tomatoes are fresh, fish sauce is fresh, etc., everything is new and tastes fine on itself, but when i combine them, i get that bitter taste, like i said, most akin to gnawing on an orange peel after brushing your teeth or something... Maybe the exported papayas are just too old or something? i'm eating my latest version now, this one tastes better, i used a smaller papaya this time, but i still taste it a little. Sounds like your Krok might be a t fault. Get a new one. Have a nice day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
track61 Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 IMHO making som tam is more of an art than a task. Kind of like making good chile or pasta sauce, you either have the talent or don't. Ever notice here in Thailand there is no such thing as OK som tam, it is either really good or total <deleted>? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svenn Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 (edited) Sounds like your Krok might be a t fault. Get a new one.Have a nice day. what is a krok? if it's the mortar and pestle, i'm not using that, just squeezing with my hands. IMHO making som tam is more of an art than a task. Kind of like making good chile or pasta sauce, you either have the talent or don't. Ever notice here in Thailand there is no such thing as OK som tam, it is either really good or total <deleted>? i don't understand how it could be an art, cuz the ingredients are so small and the combination is pretty simple... but evidently there is something to it. lol, i can fork down the som tam i make, but yes, it's more out of nostalgia rather than enjoying the taste... i've tasted much better som tam in thailand. I'm actually not getting the orange-peel taste in the batch I just made, but it still doesn't taste right. since fish sauce is the only bottled item in the ingredients, maybe that's the problem, anyone can recommend good brand? Edited November 8, 2008 by Svenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
track61 Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Sounds like your Krok might be a t fault. Get a new one.Have a nice day. what is a krok? if it's the mortar and pestle, i'm not using that, just squeezing with my hands. IMHO making som tam is more of an art than a task. Kind of like making good chile or pasta sauce, you either have the talent or don't. Ever notice here in Thailand there is no such thing as OK som tam, it is either really good or total <deleted>? i don't understand how it could be an art, cuz the ingredients are so small and the combination is pretty simple... but evidently there is something to it. lol, i can fork down the som tam i make, but yes, it's more out of nostalgia rather than enjoying the taste... i've tasted much better som tam in thailand. Ah, there-in may lie your problem. The "art" part is in the selecting and combining of ingredients, as i said like in gumbo or chile. There are at least hundreds of possibilities. If you travel around Thailand you will find vast differences in taste, ingredients, temperature, et al. I love the stuff and the best I ever eaten was in Nong Khai, the worst, Bangkok. Remember, your expectations are based on what you have eaten here and if you get close to that you may have to accept that's as good as it gets. My wife is a very good cook but cannot come even close to edible som tam, but luckily we have an excellent shop near by. Now this is serious stuff, a thread that is not about Obama, visa runs, cheating wives, etc. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunisa Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) I don't know this can help or not 1. when you peel the papaya check it not have a green peel on them 2. about lemon( limeade) I don't know what kind of lemon you use cause some can give a bitter tast from skin maybe you can try to peel the lemon or limeaed in bottle Edited November 12, 2008 by sunisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadrian1 Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Maybe you should use a pestal and mortar as opposed to your hands. Although I am not sure how you can make papaya salad without using a pestal and mortar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2live Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I don't know this can help or not 1. when you peel the papaya check it not have a green peel on them 2. about lemon( limeade) I don't know what kind of lemon you use cause some can give a bitter tast from skin maybe you can try to peel the lemon or limeaed in bottle ya, i heard bout the bitter taste from lime skin from my wife also, so try not to squeeze all the juice out or too hard. the art of making som tam, i tried doing it twice, still edible, as long as it doesnt taste like <deleted>, its fine with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabaijai Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 You didn't leave out the sugar, did you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niva103 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 try washing the papaya after you peel it. there are acids left from the skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadrian1 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 hi all,i've been trying to make som tam over the last few weeks here in usa, and i've done everything to the book with three different papayas and different times. i keep getting this nasty, bitter, orange-peel like taste in the som tam everytime, and i know that it's not right because i've never tasted it before in thailand or in thai restaurants here in usa. I checked everything- i ate a papaya shred raw- no problem there, the limes are fresh, tomatoes are fresh, fish sauce is fresh, etc., everything is new and tastes fine on itself, but when i combine them, i get that bitter taste, like i said, most akin to gnawing on an orange peel after brushing your teeth or something... Maybe the exported papayas are just too old or something? i'm eating my latest version now, this one tastes better, i used a smaller papaya this time, but i still taste it a little. Are you using Tamarind in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I too would suggest a little sugar to taste (!) - Thais either use 'normal' sugar or a small lump of palm sugar, availible outside Thailand these days. Also a splash of lime juice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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