A pinch of spices from all over the world
Beside India also Africa has wonderful SPICE MARKETS…
colorful and joyful !
Rich in sent and power
I remember when I used to go into
the wild LAGOS local market.... how many times I found myself entering this wild market into
the many stubs and looking for medical spices and aromatic spices.
But also when I was in ETHIOPIA with its great “berberè” and in DAR or ZANZIBAR with “masala” mix. In DUBAI and MOROCCO in the souk….
IT WAS GREAT !
But also when I was in ETHIOPIA with its great “berberè” and in DAR or ZANZIBAR with “masala” mix. In DUBAI and MOROCCO in the souk….
You name it,
there are many and gorgeous.
There is no time limit for me in front of a spice
display.
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Susan in front of a spice world |
NOT A MODERN COMMODITY
Spices have been used since ancient times. They are mentioned
in the ancient Hind scriptures called Vedas, ancient Egyptian papyrus, and
the Old Testament. The Queen of Sheba ruled over part of the incense Route
through southern Arabia to the Mediterranean and met with King David to develop
the spice trade, which created much of his wealth. Although it was not until
the Roman conquests that western countries discovered their culinary
possibilities, species have always been believed
to have healing and magical qualities. They have been used to cast spells, as
incense in religious rites, to embalm corpses, to add aroma to perfumes and as aphrodisiacs.
Their origins in the mystical East have made them the subject of endless myths and
legends, many deliberately concocted by traders to protect their knowledge of
where they actually purchased their valuable supplies.
Charlotte's picture |
The ancient historian Herodotus
relates that cinnamon was believed to come from gigantic limestone cliffs in
Ethiopia, guarded by huge birds that nested there. In reality cinnamon
originated in China, but this deliberate lie protected Arab merchants’ monopoly
on the spice until the 4th century AD.
AMCHOOR, MANGIFERA INDICA MANGO FRUIT
Mango Tree in Mozambique in one of my last trip |
Mango fruit is eaten raw, candied and pickled. The amchoor
spice is obtained by grinding slices of unripe mango that have been dried to
become light brown in color. Amchoor has a sour, lemony taste, with a slightly
sweet edge. A souring agent, it makes a good substitute for tamarind pulp,
lemons and limes. Amchoor is also available in powered for.
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food.ndtv.com |
GINGER, ZINGIBER OFFICINALE
who does not know them !
Ginger was one of the first spices to arrive in the West
from China. The Chinese sage Confucious mentions it in the 5th
century BC, and it was a favorite among the Romans, rivalled only by pepper in
its popularity. In the 5th century, it was grouns in pots on board
ship to prevent seafarers suffering from the deadly scurvy. Hentry VIII was a
ginger addict, and was convinced this spice was a basic ingredient in any concoction
used to fight the plague.
His daughter, Elizabeth I, shared his enthusiasm,
and
had her cook make gingerbread in the likeness of her courtier
THE ORIGINAL
GINGERBREAD MEN
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Gingermen cookies |
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