The Spice of Life!

Born in an Indian family, you can probably smell spices off my clothes! My mom's spice box in the kitchen literally has 9 spices that she adds to most of the food. This is just what she needs at hand, and then the pantry is full of at least 50 other different sices she uses in the week and then some more that she brings out for special dishes. Truth be told, I can't imagine Indian food without spices. I can easily eat steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes without any expectation of any spices. But if it was my mom's way she would spice up Turkey and the whole Thanksgiving meal and take it to a whole new level.

As I started talking to some of my friends about her obsession with spices, I learned that many different cultures in the world have their own different spices or sometimes different usage of the same spice. According to a UN report, there were about 2 million tons of spices produced in 2011 itself! Technically spices are plant-derived and used for flavoring and coloring food. But in many cultures, they are also used for medicinal and religious rituals. You will be surprised that they are also in perfumes and cosmetics! The 2020-2025 US Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that “Spices and herbs can help flavor foods when reducing added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, and they also can add to the enjoyment of nutrient-dense foods, dishes, and meals that reflect specific cultures”

The word spice probably originated from the Old French words espece, espis(c)e, and espis(c)e. Hunters and gatherers wrapped meat in the leaves of bushes, accidentally discovering that this process enhanced the taste of the meat. Exotic imports obtained from Asia were particularly appealing to the Greeks and Romans, who spent vast fortunes on trade. Rare spices were utilized in cooking as a sign of wealth ( My mom's kitchen closet would probably envy any king!). The desire to control spices led to exploration, establishment of trade routes, and even colonization, and many feuds.

there are some proposed health benefits of spices including antioxidant effects and may be some effects on hypertension. But honestly, I just enjoy it for the flavor.

My favorite spices I use, when I cook, are Black pepper, Cumin, Garlic, Ginger, and Paprika. What's your favorite spice? drop a comment on how you use it or a link to your favorite recipe using it.

Bibliography:

1. https://unitproj.library.ucla.edu/biomed/spice/index.cfm?spicefilename=whatisaspice.txt&itemsuppress=yes&displayswitch=0

2. https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/resources/history-of-spices

3. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethnobotany/food/spices.shtml

4. Nilius B, Appendino G. Spices: the savory and beneficial science of pungency. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol. 2013;164:1-76. doi: 10.1007/112_2013_11. PMID: 23605179.