160 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Dependent on season and location, there are many
different kinds of fruits and vegetables added to Khao Yum, such
as wild tamarind seeds, shredded bitter bean (sator), bean sprout,
shredded string bean, cucumber, paco fern, garcinia cowa leaves,
pomelo, raw tamarind, shredded local mango, lime, paederia
foetida, torch ginger, mangrove apple leaves, shredded rose
apple leaves, pea eggplants, white turmeric and fresh pepper.
Although each vegetable and fruit gives different flavor, at least
one kind of fruits or vegetables should give sour taste in order
to balance salty and sweet sensations of Budu sauce.
The main factors that make Khao Yum tasty are not only
steamed rice, fruits and vegetables but also Budu sauce which is
a significant seasoning. A delicious Budu sauce can be cooked
by boiling Budu with shallots, small pieces of ginger, smashed
galangal, cut lemongrasses, torned kaffir lime leaves, and then
adding palm sugar until it becomes a little thicker and smells
good. Budu sauce has a strong salty taste with slightly sweet.