Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the main reason the overland caravan trade routes became dangerous?
What was the main reason the overland caravan trade routes became dangerous?
Vasco de Gama discovered an alternative sea trade route to India in 1599.
Vasco de Gama discovered an alternative sea trade route to India in 1599.
False
Which companies broke the Portuguese monopoly on spice trade in the 1600s?
Which companies broke the Portuguese monopoly on spice trade in the 1600s?
The British and Dutch
The Mint Family is primarily known for its __________ herbs and low woody shrubs.
The Mint Family is primarily known for its __________ herbs and low woody shrubs.
Signup and view all the answers
Which member of the mint family is commonly used in Italian cooking?
Which member of the mint family is commonly used in Italian cooking?
Signup and view all the answers
Essential oils from the Mint Family are only used as cooking flavorings.
Essential oils from the Mint Family are only used as cooking flavorings.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following mint family members with their primary uses:
Match the following mint family members with their primary uses:
Signup and view all the answers
Which country is NOT mentioned as a major producer of black pepper?
Which country is NOT mentioned as a major producer of black pepper?
Signup and view all the answers
What are two major hot pepper types mentioned?
What are two major hot pepper types mentioned?
Signup and view all the answers
Which spice is known for combining the flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg?
Which spice is known for combining the flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the spice with its primary origin:
Match the spice with its primary origin:
Signup and view all the answers
Artificial vanilla is derived from natural vanilla beans.
Artificial vanilla is derived from natural vanilla beans.
Signup and view all the answers
What part of the vanilla plant is used to extract the flavor?
What part of the vanilla plant is used to extract the flavor?
Signup and view all the answers
Which herb is widely used as a seasoning for roasted meats?
Which herb is widely used as a seasoning for roasted meats?
Signup and view all the answers
Oregano is preferred in northern Italy while marjoram is preferred in the south.
Oregano is preferred in northern Italy while marjoram is preferred in the south.
Signup and view all the answers
Sage contains a neurotoxic volatile oil called ______.
Sage contains a neurotoxic volatile oil called ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Which mint species is mainly used for menthol extraction?
Which mint species is mainly used for menthol extraction?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following herbs with their primary usage:
Match the following herbs with their primary usage:
Signup and view all the answers
Which herb is known for its distinctive 'soapy' taste?
Which herb is known for its distinctive 'soapy' taste?
Signup and view all the answers
Field mint is exclusively used in European cooking.
Field mint is exclusively used in European cooking.
Signup and view all the answers
The ______ family includes economically important spices such as caraway and fennel.
The ______ family includes economically important spices such as caraway and fennel.
Signup and view all the answers
What preparation is often associated with Angelica stems in cooking?
What preparation is often associated with Angelica stems in cooking?
Signup and view all the answers
The fruit of the carrot family is known as a __________.
The fruit of the carrot family is known as a __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following spices with their primary usage:
Match the following spices with their primary usage:
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary culinary use of Cilantro?
What is the primary culinary use of Cilantro?
Signup and view all the answers
Fennel is a biennial herb native to North America.
Fennel is a biennial herb native to North America.
Signup and view all the answers
Which herb from the Carrot family is commonly used as a seasoning in French cooking?
Which herb from the Carrot family is commonly used as a seasoning in French cooking?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the primary chemical substances responsible for the flavors and aromas of spices?
What are the primary chemical substances responsible for the flavors and aromas of spices?
Signup and view all the answers
Spices were primarily used in food for flavor enhancement during the Dark Ages.
Spices were primarily used in food for flavor enhancement during the Dark Ages.
Signup and view all the answers
Which city became the main distributor of exotic spices from the trans-Asian Spice Trade?
Which city became the main distributor of exotic spices from the trans-Asian Spice Trade?
Signup and view all the answers
The Roman conquests introduced __________ spices to northern Europe.
The Roman conquests introduced __________ spices to northern Europe.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following historical events with their significance in spice trade:
Match the following historical events with their significance in spice trade:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following was NOT a reason spices were initially used in food?
Which of the following was NOT a reason spices were initially used in food?
Signup and view all the answers
The wealth from the spice trade contributed to Venice's cultural and artistic developments.
The wealth from the spice trade contributed to Venice's cultural and artistic developments.
Signup and view all the answers
What role did Venetian merchants play in the Fourth Crusade?
What role did Venetian merchants play in the Fourth Crusade?
Signup and view all the answers
Which one of the following spices is known for its strong spicy flavor and is more commercially important?
Which one of the following spices is known for its strong spicy flavor and is more commercially important?
Signup and view all the answers
Saffron is derived from the fruit of the saffron crocus plant.
Saffron is derived from the fruit of the saffron crocus plant.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main culinary use of cloves?
What is the main culinary use of cloves?
Signup and view all the answers
Nutmeg and _____ both come from the fruit of a magnoliid tree native to the Banda Islands.
Nutmeg and _____ both come from the fruit of a magnoliid tree native to the Banda Islands.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following spices with their descriptions:
Match the following spices with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which spice is often used as a local anaesthetic for toothaches?
Which spice is often used as a local anaesthetic for toothaches?
Signup and view all the answers
Mace is more commonly used than nutmeg in cooking.
Mace is more commonly used than nutmeg in cooking.
Signup and view all the answers
Which plant variety is used to produce true cinnamon?
Which plant variety is used to produce true cinnamon?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Spices and Flavorings
- Spices are plant parts (fruits, seeds, leaves, or rhizomes) used to add flavor and aroma to food.
- Spice flavors and aromas come from aromatic terpenoids (essential oils).
- Crushing, cutting, or cooking plants releases these oils.
- Spices were initially used as preservatives, antimicrobials, and for medicinal properties.
- They masked spoiled food smells and enhanced bland dishes.
Spices in History
-
Roman conquests introduced Mediterranean spices to Northern Europe.
-
During the Dark Ages (641-1096 CE), locally grown spices were primarily used.
-
The Crusades (641-1096 AD) expanded spice trade.
-
Venetian merchants played a vital role in the spice trade, notably after the sacking of Constantinople (1204)
-
The spice trade involved exchange with India, China, and the Arabian Peninsula for European goods (grains, glass, wine, and cloth).
-
Marco Polo's expeditions (1269-1294) exposed Europe to new spices.
-
Overland caravan routes were dangerous and expensive, making spice supply unreliable
-
Vasco de Gama's discovery of an alternative sea route (1499) from Europe to India and East Asia drastically changed spice trade.
-
Portuguese East India Company initially controlled the black pepper trade, but Dutch and British companies later broke that monopoly.
-
By the mid-1800s, Dutch and British plantations established more reliable spice supply, making them more available and affordable.
Spices of Temperate Regions
-
Mint (Lamiaceae) Family: includes mainly perennial herbs and low woody shrubs.
- Contains fragrant "minty" essential oils in specialized leaf cells.
- Economically important Mint Family spices originated in the Mediterranean.
- Essential oils used in cosmetics and industry; sometimes used fresh, sometimes dried.
- Rosemary: Woody Mediterranean shrub with sharp pungent leaves; used in cooking and cosmetics.
- Thyme: Highly aromatic low shrub; used in various dishes, soups, stews, etc. as a garnish.
- Oregano: Indigenous to Eurasia, pungent perennial herb used in Italian cooking.
- Sage: Herbaceous perennial with strong pungent flavour, used as seasoning for roasted meats and in poultry stuffing.
- Basil: Widely distributed annual herb; native to Africa, India, and Southeast Asia; used in pasta sauces, salads, etc.
- Mints (Mentha spp.): Perennial herbs; important spices like spearmint, peppermint, and field mint (used as a potherb or tea). Peppermint oil is used for menthol extraction.
Spices of Tropical Regions
- Cinnamon: derived from small side shoots of Cinnamonum trees in eastern Asia (Chinese/Cassia or Sri Lankan).
- Cloves: Dried unopened flower buds from a Southeast Asian tree, popular in Asian and European cooking. Anaesthetic and disinfectant.
- Nutmeg and Mace: From the fruit of a magnoliid tree in the Banda Islands (Indonesia); nutmeg is used widely in cooking, and mace is less commonly used.
- Black Pepper: From a magnoliid vine native to India, fermented and dried; used in many dishes.
- Ginger: Used fresh or dried; important in Asian cooking; has medical applications as well.
- Allspice: Tropical spice with flavor of other spices; native to Central America and Caribbean.
- Chili/Cayenne Peppers: Mild to hot chili peppers are used in various ways (fresh, dried, or pickled); native to Central and South America.
- Vanilla: from a monocot perennial vine native to Central and South America (also grown in SE Asia, Africa); flavor extracted from mature beans. Artificial vanilla is a cheaper alternative with less complex flavor.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the fascinating world of spices and flavorings, including their origins, uses in food preservation and health, and their historical significance in trade and culture. Learn about how spices transformed diets and economies from ancient Rome to the age of exploration.
