Can you visualize your meal without spices?
Can you visualize your meal without spices? Bland, eh?
But
what exactly is this often taken-for-granted item? Here’s presenting a brief of
spices.
Basically,
spices are aromatic food substances which enhance flavour. They are dried
roots, barks or seeds used whole, crushed or powdered. Not only do they titillate our taste-buds but
also contribute to our wellness as they comprise of - phytonutrients, essential
oils, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
We
owe the widespread use and popularity of spices to Arab and European explorers.
A quick look at the history of spices reveals that they were among the most
valuable items of trade in the ancient and medieval times. Since 3500 BC,
spices have been closely associated with - food, cosmetics, magic, culture,
traditions, preservation, medicine and embalming.
Spices
can be botanically categorized according to their source as follows:
Leaves
of aromatic plants: Bay leaf, thyme,
curry leaf etc.
Seeds:
Fennel, coriander, fenugreek, mustard, cumin, nutmeg dill, aniseed, celery etc.
Fruits:
Cardamom, cayenne pepper, black pepper, vanilla, all spice, tamarind etc.
Roots
or bulbs: Garlic, ginger, turmeric, galangal etc.
Bark:
Cinnamon, cassia etc.
Flower:
Cloves, saffron, asafoetida etc.
Spices
lend aroma, colour, flavour and sometimes, even texture to food. Even
laypersons can identify - bitter, salty, sour and sweet – as the four popular
flavours. But actually flavours go much beyond that to include – cooling,
earthy, floral, nutty, pungent, woody etc.Interesting? Catch our next story on
a flavour-wise bifurcation of spices
Spices
carry out multiple functions besides adding flavour and colour to food. They -
stimulate salvation, acid secretion, and digestive enzymes; possess
anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties; aid in
stabilizing impaired blood glucose levels; et al.
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