Thai food is known world wide for its originality and nutritional value. Thai people have a lot to thank foreign traders. If not for the Portuguese and the Dutch, the Arabs, Indians, and Chinese, the chilli peppers from the New World or the spices from the "spice islands" may not have found their way to pep up all of our wonderful dishes. The maritime silk route, the ancient trade channels between India and China and the explorations forged by curious Western adventurers in search of golden treasures brought many wild and exotic ingredients from around the world to Thailand. They were warmly received and eagerly sampled in royal kitchens, and some of the foreign gems were swiftly adopted and skillfully incorporated into the country's cuisine. It is very much in line with Thai character to take an ingredient that is alien to the culture and combine it with native herbs, spices and condiments to create an end product that is distinctly Thai. (Legends, Traditions and the Joys of Thai Cooking, Kasma Loha-Unchit)