Today's Word Search: The strange and unique history of spices in your kitchen
We discover that pepper was a status symbol and nutmeg was thought to cure the plague
Think of your favourite dishes – now imagine them without any turmeric, or nutmeg, or cinnamon, or peppercorn… all the colourful spices that pack a punch of flavour in just a pinch.
Click start to play today’s Word Search, where you can identify various spices and herbs. Don’t forget to visit Gulf News’ Food section for recipes, guides, and everything to do with cooking and cuisines.
Here are a few items you likely have in your spice rack, with an interesting, unique history:
1. Peppercorn
Originating in Kerala, India, peppercorn was the centre of early trade between India and the Middle East, by at least 1000BC. In the region, it was widely used, and even included in mummification rituals, like that of Ramses II. When the peppercorn made its way to ancient Rome, it was so highly valued, the Romans even used it as currency. According to The Spice Academy, they used to ‘over pepper’ their dishes, using it in nearly every recipe, from adding a pinch in their desserts to an entire two tablespoons to flavour just four eggs! The over-peppered dishes were used by Roman aristocrats as a display of wealth.
2. Cinnamon
The heady, sweet spice was born in Asia, but exactly where is a little less clear. Cinnamon often appears in ancient Western texts, and many Greek and Roman writers have praised its scent and luxurious quality. It wasn’t just used in cooking – both the Greeks and the Egyptians used it as an ingredient in incense. Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) was one of the oldest producers of cinnamon and suffered much for its cause – the country was invaded over and over again by cinnamon-seeking colonists. The most ruthless of them were the Dutch, who made it clear that selling even one stick of cinnamon without permission would mean death. It was only in 1948 when the island became independent, that it began to control its own export.
3. Nutmeg
According to most historians, China has the longest relationship with nutmeg. The first Chinese writer to mention the spice was the famous traveller of the early seventh century, Ch’en Tsang-ch. By the 13th century, nutmeg had reached Venice, Italy, and at the dawn of the 17th century, its value skyrocketed. It was marketed as a cure for the plague, and the enormous increase in demand gave some explorers the incentive to circumvent expensive Venetian ports. They tried to go straight to the source instead, causing a series of wars that swept the eastern oceans.
Do you use any of these spices? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.