One Thai dessert that Thais love for its sweet, fragrant and creamy flavour is mango sticky rice (khao niao mamuang). Today we're sharing its benefits and a recipe that isn't too difficult.
The History of Mango Sticky Rice in Thailand
Mango sticky rice has been popular in Thailand since the late Ayutthaya period. In the reign of King Rama V, according to the records, the King admired a poem about savoury and sweet dishes from the reign of King Rama II of the Rattanakosin era. However, there is no clear evidence of who created it. Today, mango sticky rice is recognised as a Thai dish, featured in a 2018 ranking by Jen Rose Smith for CNN.
Mango Sticky Rice Ingredients
For the Sticky Rice
- 500 g khiao ngu glutinous rice
- Nam dok mai mangoes, sliced, as much as you like
- 250 g white sugar
- 400 ml coconut cream
- ½ tsp salt
For the Coconut Topping
- 200 ml coconut cream
- 1 tbsp cornflour dissolved in clean water
- 1 tsp salt
How to Make Mango Sticky Rice
- Wash the new-crop glutinous rice with alum and leave it for about 10 minutes, then wash it again and soak it in clean water for about 3–4 hours. Drain in a sieve and leave for a while to let the water drip off.
- Line a steamer with muslin and add the prepared rice, making a hole in the centre so the steam can rise through and cook the rice evenly. Steam in a bamboo steamer over boiling water for about 30 minutes.
- Make the coconut topping: over low heat, add the coconut cream, salt and dissolved cornflour to a pot and simmer until combined. Once the mixture thickens, turn off the heat.
- Over low heat, make the sweet coconut sauce for the rice: add the coconut cream, salt and sugar and simmer until dissolved. When it boils, turn off the heat.
- Put the steamed rice in a mixing bowl, pour in the prepared sweet coconut sauce and stir until the grains separate. Cover and leave for about 10 minutes, then stir a little and cover again for the same amount of time. Serve the sweet sticky rice on a plate with the sliced mango and the coconut topping. Done!
Benefits of Eating Mango Sticky Rice
- Can help eliminate free radicals that damage the body's cells
- Gives the body more energy
- Relieves a dry throat and thirst
- Reduces excessive sweating
- Helps you feel refreshed and less tired
- Aids digestion and bowel movements
Downsides of Eating Too Much Mango Sticky Rice
- Increased risk of high blood pressure
- Increased risk of obesity
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Increased risk of "internal heat" (ron nai), such as mouth ulcers
- Bloating and a feeling of fullness
- Abnormal stomach function (harder digestion)
- Eating it before bed may cause sleeplessness
- Constipation
