Spices have been the catalysts of some of the greatest adventures in human history… A German price table of 1393 lists a pound of nutmeg as worth 7 fat oxen. The guild included spice trade management, which included cleaning and preparing the spices for sale. Washington DC: American Chemical Society, 1986:125-137. By the 5th century A.D., ginger was widely utilized and even grown in pots to take on sea voyages for fresh food, as well as to prevent scurvy. The Ebers Papyrus is an Egyptian scroll listing plants used as medicines, which dates back to about 1550 B.C. was found containing a lengthy list of spices used in cooking and medicine. Records from that time also note that laborers who constructed the Great Pyramid of Cheops consumed onion and garlic as a means to promote health. Near the end of the 15th century, however, explorers began to build ships and venture abroad in search of new ways to reach the spice-producing regions. Spices have the ability to bring us true satisfaction for our emotions, appetites, and health. These include: Furthermore, scientists have researched many of these ancient spices and have found antimicrobial properties that are ideal for various uses like preservatives, antiseptics, and disinfectants.8. They are mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Bagavad Gita and the Old Testament. Written by Dioscorides (a Greek Physician), this book contained information for the use of botany in medicine and was used in, both, the East and West for about 1,500 years. Starting around 950 B.C., Arab merchants caravanned by donkeys and camels through India, China, and southeastern Asia on the Incense Route to provide valuable spic… We've revised our Privacy Policy pursuant to GDPR.Please take a moment to review. Early Egyptians used various kinds of spices to prepare food, cosmetics and for embalming their dead. By 1000 BCE, medical systems based … When the Roman Empire extended to the northern side of the Alps, the Goths, Vandals, and Huns of those regions were introduced to pepper and other spices from the East. However, in 1596 the first comprehensive printed book of spices, along with their medical use, was printed in China. Read on for a geographical history of spices, from ancient times to today. Unless otherwise noted, material adapted from F. Rosengarten, Jr. 1969. Many of the traded goods in the early Roman Empire came from Arabian merchants. They would later even use these methods for embalming.1Upon eating these wrapped meats, they discovered the flavors were quite delicious. We use them for cooking, cleaning, aromatherapy, health, and yes, even still in medicine. Eastern Europeans paid 10 pounds of pepper in order to gain access to trading with London merchants. As of 11/05/2020, Spice Fit is permanently closed for business. ), Curry Health Benefits: 7 Reasons Why You Should Eat More of It, How To Use Spices To Create A Dynamic Soup for Fall, Fermenting 101: Bring Some (delicious!) Scientists and doctors continue to engage in cutting-edge research with chemical compounds found in spices like turmeric, frankincense, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, black peppercorns, and others. Fun fact, I got the idea for this video while working as a cook in a Taco Bar. In the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C., Hippocrates wrote about the use of spices in medicine. Technology allows us to cultivate herbs, spices, and seeds more easily in adverse conditions and even in our own homes. The spice trade began in the Middle East over 4,000 years ago. A pound of saffron cost the same as a horse; a pound of ginger, as much as a sheep; 2 pounds of mace as much as a cow. "The Book of spices." In 1501, the port of Lisbon, Portugal had large quantities of Indian spices such as cinnamon, cassia, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, mace, and cloves. Ayurvedic medicine is still practiced today in holistic approaches, even in Western societies. The early history of spices. Spices have so much to offer us on so many levels. Some ancient customs and superstitions (e.g., tying bundles of herbs to stable doors to keep the witches out) were also continued. Onions, garlic, and shallots became popular condiments in Persia by the 6th century BC. The use of spices spread through the Middle East to the eastern Mediterranean and Europe. European cultivation of spices and herbs was largely controlled by the church during this period. These spices were used in surgical procedures as far back as the 4th century B.C. If you have any questions about how our closing will impact you — please call us at( 888) 309-0221 or email at [email protected] — our customer care team will be standing by to take your call until December 21, 2020. There are innumerable health benefits from a wide variety of spices that are also tasty and enjoyable to consume. Spices were among the most valuable items of trade in ancient and medieval times. For this reason, they harvested many potent spices in the middle of the night by moonlight. The magic religion of Babylonia involved an ancient medical god of the moon, who controlled medicinal plants. Garlic was heavily used in cooking by many ancient Romans and Greeks. He noted that great care should be given to the preparation of herbs for medical use. ), Root Beer: How to Make Root Beer From the Comfort of Home, What Are Red Pepper Flakes? Dioscorides created a more systematic catalog based upon the evidence of others as opposed to claiming that magic or the gods were behind the powers of these plants.9. Rosengarten Jr, Frederic. Potent parts of herbs were not allowed sun exposure and were harvested by moonlight. Spices were also valuable as items of exchange and trade. Religious herb and spice feasts were common. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is the land of spices in the Indian ocean with the spices which are with rich flavors and aroma that is distinct only to Ceylon. In the Early part of the middle ages (before the Crusades), Asian Spices in Europe were costly and mainly used by the wealthy. Some recipes will add other ingredients like ginger, nutmeg, and licorice. And they still help turn our simple meals into savory and flavorful cuisine. They used local spices heavily, as well as spices from the East and even Greece and Rome, collecting these from merchants along their trade routes. The word spice comes from the Old French word espice, which became epice, and which came from the Latin root spec, the noun referring to "appearance, sort, kind": specieshas the same root. White mustard was used on bed sheets toward evil off spirits alongside poultice from sesame applied to fresh surgical wounds. Many other spices were used in medicine like turmeric, nutmeg, cardamom, and cinnamon. Settlers from Europe and the natives alike were using them for a variety of reasons. This worked for them until around the 1st century when Roman and Greeks realized there was huge inflation due to the deception. The original spicers and pepperers helped launch the apothecaries and later became medical practitioners. During the ancient Roman Empire, trading largely came from Arabia. Many European towns kept their accounts in pepper. Persians also produced essential oils from roses, lilies, coriander, and saffron. Spices were also associated with certain rituals to … Archaeologists have discovered that as far back as 50,000 BC, human beings used aromatic plants to help flavour their food and make it taste and smell better. This common spice mix helped to make it much more edible and enjoyable.6. Support me on patreon maybe? Ancient Egyptian documents dating back to 1555 A.D. noted the classification and use of fennel, cumin, coriander, juniper, garlic, and thyme to enhance health or to use for various ailments and/or injuries. Spices played a huge role in trading for Arabs early on. Spices indigenous to India (e.g. The scroll serves as evidence that the spice trade was in existence at least 3,500 years ago. A Brief History of Spices Ancient Egyptian and Arabian beginnings (from about 2600 BC) The fi rst authentic, if fragmentary, records of the use of spices and herbs may date from the Pyramid Age in Egypt, approximately 2600 to 2100 BC. 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