- For other uses, see Spice (disambiguation).
Spices are strongly flavored or aromatic parts of plants used in small quantities in food as a preservative, or flavouring in cooking. Spices are often used in perfumes and cosmetics, and many have been used in medicine and religious ritual as well. Spices are distinguished from other plant products used for similar purposes, such as herbs (which are green, leafy parts of plants), aromatic vegetables, and dried fruit.
History
Spices have been prominent in human history virtually since its inception. Spices were some of the most valuable items of trade in the ancient and medieval world. In the story of Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers to spice merchants. In the biblical poem Song of Solomon, the male speaker compares his beloved to many forms of spices.
Spices were the primary reason that Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama sailed to India. Around that same time, when Christopher Columbus happened upon the New World, he was quick to describe to investors the many new spices available there.
See also
Further reading
- Jack Turner (2004), Spice: the history of a temptation, HarperCollins
External links
- Food Bacteria-Spice Survey Shows Why Some Cultures Like It Hot Quote: "...Garlic, onion, allspice and oregano, for example, were found to be the best all-around bacteria killers (they kill everything)...Top 30 Spices with Antimicrobial Properties..."
- May 22, 2001, Add a Little Spice to Your Life. And Take Away a Few Bacteria That Cause Disease
- August 18, 1998, Common Kitchen Spices Kill E. Coli O157:H7 Quote: "...The study is the first in the United States that looks at the effect of common spices on E. coli O157:H7. Previous studies have concluded spices kill other foodborne pathogens. "In the first part of our study, we tested 23 spices against E. coli O157:H7 in the laboratory," Fung said. "We found that several spices are good at killing this strain of E. coli."..."
- caffeine-free Chai Spice tea
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