2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The spices are plants that occur in nature or are obtained synthetically. Their role is to give food a pleasant taste, smell and good appearance. They are sometimes used as preservatives.
Spices have been known in the history of mankind since its inception. They were among the most valuable merchandise in the ancient and medieval world.
Spices were revered as treasures and valued more than human life. Because they not only transform the taste of the simplest unpretentious dishes, but are also the first medicines of mankind.
To your attention - here they are the oldest spicesthat people have enjoyed since time immemorial.
Pepper
In 12th century England, pepper was more valuable than gold.
But not only in England, but also in Europe during the Middle Ages, spices, including black pepper, actually cost their weight in gold. For one measure of pepper, the same measure of gold is given and a kilogram of nutmeg can be exchanged for a cow or four sheep. Some types of pepper, such as white and black, are mentioned as very healing remedies for colds, bile, kidneys, fevers and others.
Nutmeg
In South Asia, the nutmeg, which comes from the Banda Islands in the Moluccas, has a Sanskrit name. Sanskrit - the language of the sacred Hindu texts - in this case indicates the age of use of this spice. Historians believe that the nutmeg appeared in Europe in the 6th century BC.
In cooking, soups, pâtés, vegetable dishes, fricassee, etc. are flavored with it in small doses. Nutmeg has an antiseptic effect that stimulates the body's defenses.
Cocoa
The fruits of cocoa have served as food for the Brazilian population for many centuries. In the 16th century, they were brought to Europe by the Spaniards. Cocoa beans are a storehouse of nutrients and trace elements for the health of the body. The use of this drink has a beneficial effect on mental and physical workers: cocoa helps to focus attention, improve memory and recover better from heavy toxins.
Saffron
This is one of the most expensive spices. In the diet, saffron is mainly used in salads, soups, sauces and beverages. The special spice gives a specific aroma and taste to poultry dishes: chicken with nuts, grilled chicken, fried chicken.
The price of saffron was formed under the influence of several factors, the main of which were the difficulties in growing and harvesting. Today, the price for 1 kg of Iranian saffron is about $ 2,000.
Marjoram
In the Middle Ages, this spice was one of the herbs that people believed could ward off evil spirits and cure all diseases. The leaves are used in fresh and dried form as a spice for first and second courses of meat, fish, vegetables, as well as for flavoring salads. It goes well with rosemary, thyme, tarragon and basil.
Rosemary
The Romans dedicated the plant to the goddess Venus and decorated the statues with rosemary. Used in meat dishes, gives the meat of domestic animals the aroma of game. In moderate doses it is used as a special accent in the preparation of soups, meat, chicken, peas.
Basil
Basil is considered the most popular spice in the world. In cooking it is used both fresh and dried. The Romans considered basil a symbol of hatred because it was used in medicine as a remedy for depression and melancholy. This spice is ideal for meat and all fish dishes, as well as for almost all vegetable dishes.
Coriander
Coriander seeds were found in the tombs of the pharaohs, Roman legions carried coriander with them, moving around Europe. The ancient Egyptians obtained from coriander aromatic oil, which was used during religious ceremonies. It was used in China in the IV-V century. Coriander is added to vegetable, meat, chicken dishes, in milk and milk soups. In general, almost the entire plant is used - both leaves and fruits, and in folk medicine in different countries - even the roots.
Nowadays, spices are firmly entrenched in the dishes of our table and we have not given them such importance for a long time as they were revered several centuries ago.
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