Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Spices are not treated as food because they need the requisite nutritional value. But they have the kind of value that supplements any food and our lives, too. Since their discovery, spices have remained the most expensive, valuable, and essential ingredient in many things, greatly influencing world history.
Various aromatic spices and condiments once reigned as a monopoly of South Asian trade. Multiple spices were used in different civilizations and regions of the East and Middle East, including ancient Egypt and India, for cooking, food preservation, offering religious rituals, cremation, ayurvedic treatment, cosmetic treatment, etc. In addition, there are also outstanding accounts of spices in various Chinese proverbs and mythology, Indian myths, and the Bible.
The Moluccas in Indonesia, known as the Spice Islands, supplied nutmeg, cloves, and other spices to China, where they were highly valued. In the Chinese royal court then, it was customary for every court member to have cloves in their mouths while conversing with the emperors.
Similarly, the Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman civilizations also extensively utilized and traded various spices. All great spices such as sesame, linseed, thyme, saffron, poppy, and star anise were born in the heart of this civilization, which was developed in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers basin. According to historians, ancient Persians made essential oils beneficial for health from plants like lily, rose, saffron, coriander, etc.
Let us get acquainted with its uses.
An essential for perfumes
The Greeks popularized using of various oils and scented oils in bathing. Cinnamon leaves were soaked to create a product that sweetened breath and scented clothing. Saffron, one of the most expensive spices in history, is notable for its oil, a crucial ingredient in many perfumes.
In religious rituals
Spices were often used in rituals in the classical era, in oils, or as fragrances by burning. Priests used them in worship, chants, and rituals, while shamans used them to ward off evil spirits. Aromatic herbs also cleaned and fragranced homes.
As 'Currency' in the barter system
Spices once served as a primary currency in the ancient and medieval ages. Pepper and cinnamon were so valuable they were used to pay rent in the Roman Empire, and some workers were even paid in salt. In a bizarre incident in 408 CE, the Visigoths attacked Rome and demanded a ransom of 3,000 pounds of pepper to leave the city.
Medicinal use
Black pepper was highly regarded for treating coughs and asthma, healing skin wounds, and occasionally as a remedy for poisoning. Hippocrates, known as the "Father of Medicine," believed in the healing powers of saffron, cinnamon, thyme, coriander, mint, and marjoram. Cinnamon was thought to cure fevers, nutmeg to relieve flatulence, and warmed ginger to act as an aphrodisiac.
Preventing decay in dead bodies
The ancient Egyptians used a mix of spices to preserve their deceased. Before mummification, bodies were cleansed with a combination of spices. Cinnamon, cumin, and anise oil were integral to mummification to prevent decay and putrefaction. Some parts of the world continue similar practices today.
Beautification and fashion
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed consuming cumin would give them a fairer complexion. The great Indian subcontinent women used turmeric and sandalwood for masks, creams, dental hygiene, and exfoliation. Cleopatra took warm baths with a quarter-cup of saffron to feel herself better. Historically, dyes were derived from natural sources, including spices like turmeric, which produced a vibrant yellow hue. Saffron imparted a deep orangey-red colour, and other herbs and spices used for dyeing fabric included sumac berries (brown), lavender (pink), and bay leaves (yellow).
These spices were preserved with utmost care and cautiousness. As they were expensive and rare, they were invaluable to the people. Some spices were preserved by infusing them in oils or fats. This method helped to retain the spices' flavours and prevent spoilage. In some regions, spices were buried in sand to keep them cool and dry. This method was particularly useful in hot climates. Salt was used as a preservative for certain spices. The high salt concentration inhibited the growth of microorganisms. These methods allowed ancient civilizations to maintain their valuable spice supplies for trade, culinary, and medicinal purposes.
Such methods are often used in the modern era in different regions to store a large amount of spice. However, a small amount can be stored in beautiful clay-made jars, glass pots, or steel-made containers for regular use. Clip-top spice jars are in demand for their beauty and safety issues. Other glass jars with bamboo lids are mainly used for household purposes. A spice organizer of 12 or 24 sets of glass jars with stainless lids is available. These look so attractive and handy. These keep the taste and flavours of the spices intact. These are available online and also in malls.
The magic of spices lies in their ability to transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences and their myriad health benefits. In Bengal, the rich history and diverse use of spices continue to enchant the palate and the well-being of those who savour them.