I thought I’d kick off my first blog experience by addressing why I’d want to start a blog about something as ordinary as spices. I mean, who doesn’t have salt and pepper shakers sitting in close proximity to each other somewhere in their house? Do we not all have The Cabinet in our kitchen harboring our favorite sprigs and spices… and some that we only use once a year… from the same container way in the back, year after year? C’mon, admit it! We’ve all been guilty of it! Well, the reason I feel compelled to celebrate spices and herbs is because I absolutely love to cook and my favorite things about cooking are the tastes, aromas and colors of whatever I’m creating and consuming. What is the first thing you notice when you walk into the kitchen while someone is cooking? For me it’s, “Oh my God, that smells SO GOOD!” Those awesome smells come from the seasonings that magically work together to create something amazing. Without seasonings, chicken would just be chicken and rice would just be rice. It’s the spices and herbs that we add to our food that make it something that we actually look forward to eating. Overall, spices stimulate our senses and create enjoyable experiences.
Spices weren’t always so ordinary, although they have always existed. Early on, herbs were used for medicinal purposes, magic, religious practices and for their preservative properties. The demand for exotic ingredients helped stimulate the trade of herbs and spices around the world. The development of the spice trade and its effect on world power and wealth is well documented. As early as 2,000 B.C., the spice trade was evolving in the Middle East, with cinnamon and pepper being the most commonly traded spices. During the Middle Ages, spices were in high demand and among the most expensive products in Europe. Upon his return to Europe from the New World, Christopher Columbus told investors about the newly discovered spices there. The spread of chilies throughout the colonies of Europe literally changed the diet of half of the world. Trade was not the only cause of the spread of spices throughout the world – migration was another. Immigrants brought seasonings from their regions and combined them with local products to create entirely new genres of cuisine, a la Cajun and Creole cooking of Louisiana. Spices and herbs have literally changed the world and continue to do so.
So, the next time you sprinkle a little cinnamon on your toast or grind some pepper over your plate, take a moment to appreciate it. It’s come a long way, baby!
Spices weren’t always so ordinary, although they have always existed. Early on, herbs were used for medicinal purposes, magic, religious practices and for their preservative properties. The demand for exotic ingredients helped stimulate the trade of herbs and spices around the world. The development of the spice trade and its effect on world power and wealth is well documented. As early as 2,000 B.C., the spice trade was evolving in the Middle East, with cinnamon and pepper being the most commonly traded spices. During the Middle Ages, spices were in high demand and among the most expensive products in Europe. Upon his return to Europe from the New World, Christopher Columbus told investors about the newly discovered spices there. The spread of chilies throughout the colonies of Europe literally changed the diet of half of the world. Trade was not the only cause of the spread of spices throughout the world – migration was another. Immigrants brought seasonings from their regions and combined them with local products to create entirely new genres of cuisine, a la Cajun and Creole cooking of Louisiana. Spices and herbs have literally changed the world and continue to do so.
So, the next time you sprinkle a little cinnamon on your toast or grind some pepper over your plate, take a moment to appreciate it. It’s come a long way, baby!
