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Before the invention of the refrigerator, which now
keeps our food cool and fresh, meat often spoiled before it could be
eaten. Europeans longed for spices and herbs which would make their
food taste better. Spices were often valued as much as gold, silk and
other riches from the far east. Monarchs (kings and queens), would send
explorers in search of new spices and herbs to trade in the marketplaces
of Europe. From Marco Polo traveling east to Christopher Columbus traveling
west, all explorers discovered new spices and herbs which they brought
back to the trade centers of Europe.
Learn about a few of the common spices we cook with today. Find out about their origin (where they originally came from), who brought them back to Europe, how they grow and how they are used. Click here to begin.
Cinammon |
Pepper |
Nutmeg (whole and ground) |
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Mint |
Whole cloves |
Star anise |
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Our Favorite Spice Report Websites
Spice Island Spice Encyclopedia - http://www.spiceadvice.com/
The Cook's Thesaurus - http://www.foodsubs.com/Spice.html
Epicurous - http://www.epicurious.com/db/dictionary/refguides/herbspice/list.html
The Culinary Cafe - http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_Herbs/
ASTA online, World of Spice - http://www.astaspice.org/spice/frame_spice.htm
Epicentre, Encyclopedia of Spice - http://www.epicurious.com/db/dictionary/refguides/herbspice/list.html