Can someone tell me what BAI PHRIK refers to? Does it mean 'chilli leaves' as in the leave of the chilli plant (Capsicum annuum)?

Thanks for your help.

Can someone tell me what BAI PHRIK refers to? Does it mean 'chilli leaves' as in the leave of the chilli plant (Capsicum annuum)?

Thanks for your help.

ใบอ่อน

Young leaf.

ใบหญ้า

Leaf of plant.

So Bai seems to be related to the leaf.

But just guessing.

ไบ

Bai

After some thinking.

Probably just means chili leaf.

Leaf Chilli.

Edited April 10, 201610 yr by Lampang2

Dear Lampang2,

Thank you for your reply. Not exactly sure what you mean, because BAI does mean leaf and PHRIK means either chilli or pepper.

After researching further, I just read that chilli leaves are used to make green curry paste and also in some soups, so I guess that is what they are.

Thank you for your help anyway.

You've probably already seen this but I'll pass it along in case you haven't.

"Bai Prig ใบพริก

Chili Leaves don’t play an important role like galangal or kaffir lime leaves in most Thai dishes but when it comes to green curry paste, they shine. They give green curry paste its beautiful bright green color without adding so many green chilies, the curry would be too hot to eat. The leaves themselves have no heat and little flavor; they can best be thought of as natural food coloring. They are also used in many other dishes, soups and curries.

It's convenient to have a chili plant, but if not, Asian farmers at farmers markets have just about the whole plant (chili with leaves attached on the branches) available mid to late summer. I pick off the leaves for my green curry paste then wash and freeze the rest of the chilies."

Author: Natty Netsuwan

http://www.thaitable.com/thai/ingredient/chili-leaves

I think the use of chili leaves must be somewhat regional as I've never seen them used in Isaan food. My Thai wife is not familiar with using them. They may very well be included in Isaan cooking but certainly not as a typical ingredient. Of course, just about every other kind of leaf is used here so I may have eaten it without knowing.

Dear Pla shado,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I read that last night on the Thai Table site, but thank you for checking that up and providing the additional information.

Much appreciated.

I think you've got the wrong binomial name for the chillies concerned. Capsicum annuum is capsicums, cayenne, jalapeños. Thai peppers, however, are Capsicum frutescens.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_pepper#Species_and_cultivars

Dear Oxx,

Thank you for that information. Actually, Capsicum frutescens is often considered to be a species of Capsicum annuum and therefore I think that will cover chillies in general, whereas if I used Capsicum frutescens, it would only cover a small portion of chillies. Most of the Thai chillies are varieties of Capsicum annuum.

Thanks again.