What You Need to Know
Isaan grilling uses charcoal at 260–300 °C to trigger Maillard browning while preserving juiciness through rapid moisture vaporization. Southern Thai curries simmer coconut milk at 90–95 °C, partially hydrolyzing triglycerides to release free fatty acids that act as natural emulsifiers. Fermented fish sauce undergoes lactic‑acid fermentation at 30–35 °C, producing volatile nitrogenous compounds that contribute umami.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Maillard browning, protein denaturation, triglyceride hydrolysis, lactic acid fermentation