Som Tam is a delicious Thai salad, with green papaya being the key ingredient.

Over the years, it has gained popularity in several other parts of the world as well.

Read ahead to learn more!

Som Tam surely comes atop the list when we talk about healthful Thai salads. It can be found as a street snack at almost every corner of Thailand. It's also a highly sought-after dish at some of the lavish restaurants scattered across the Land of Smiles.

Som Tam boasts a perfect balance of four different flavors - sour, chili, sweet, and salty. What's more, it's considered an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts, owing to its amazing nutrition profile.

The Origin of Som Tam

As food historians believe, Som Tam originated in Laos - a country located northeast of Thailand. Probably, for this reason, the dish is highly popular in Isaan which is the northeastern region of Thailand.

It's known as Tam Maak Hung in Laos. The Thai version is slightly different and more popular than its original version.

How to Make

Som Tam is easy-to-prepare, and all of the ingredients are easily available in the market.

Ingredients: 1 small green and raw papaya, 2 cloves of peeled garlic, 2 teaspoons of toasted ground peanuts, 7-8 cherry tomatoes, 2-3 fresh birds eye chilies, 2 cups bean sprouts, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil, 3 teaspoons lime juice, 2 teaspoons chopped basil, 1/4 cup of palm sugar, 1 teaspoon of tamarind paste, and 4 large green beans.

First, peel and shred the papaya and put it in a bowl. Now, crush the garlic cloves with a pestle. Add chili, green beans, and a little amount of lime juice to it. Mix properly and leave it at room temperature for a couple of minutes. Then, add the papaya, along with sugar, soy sauce, tamarind paste, and all the other ingredients. Mix, and serve garnished with toasted ground peanuts.

So, what are the health benefits?

If consumed regularly, Som Tam may offer a good range of benefits to your health.

It's high in dietary fiber which helps aid in the overall functioning of your digestive system.

Thanks to its high vitamin C content, Som Tam boosts immunity and keeps your risk of diseases at bay.

It helps regulate blood pressure levels. So, it's a good choice for people struggling with cardiovascular disorders.

Being an excellent source of protein, it may help your body to shed some of its excess kilos.