Spices Evoke
Story 3: Spices only reveal themselves when you are ready
Story 3: January 14, 2021
Spices have a way of hiding and only revealing themselves when you are ready. As a child, I may not have been aware of them, but they were always there – the caraway seeds in a loaf of Lithuanian rye bread, the liquorice-tinge in Christmas anise sweets, or cloves, bay leaves, and peppercorns in the marinade for Sauerbraten.
Later in life, spices become emboldened and start to show you more. Have you tasted the unforgettable Ethiopian dishes featuring Berbere spices? Is it possible to miss the chilies in Mexican food? And Indian cuisine? Read more on a very life-changing influence below.
It is because of spices that I really began my exploration of food and culture. So much so that over ten years ago, I decided to call my company Spice Journeys and my novel “The Spice Temple.”
Why? Because spices can be the gateway to so much.
The extract below is part of a recent article I wrote about spices. There are also some links below to help you on your own spice journey.
If you like what you are reading, I would love your comments.
And please share with anyone you think would enjoy this.
SPICES EVOKE AND TELL STORIES
Once spices get under your skin, they become unforgettable. Just look at their history. The obsession with spices dates back millennia and has spawned stories of legend. The Spice Route, a network of sea lanes that connected the Mediterranean with the Far East, became a place of exploration. The seas were filled with traders and pirates on their voyages and conquests. Vibrant, bustling ports emerged, mixing cultures, religions and languages. With the calls and whispers of merchants and traders, they became places of commerce and intrigue, much because of the magic and allure of spices.
My journey with spices began in earnest with a taste of India. It was a spinach dish called palak paneer that changed everything. This dish was subtle in its spicing, but the sharp hits of ginger and garlic enlivened the palate. It was the fragrance of cumin and garam masala, possibly with a hint of methi, that really had me captivated. Thereafter, my taste for spices only grew and turned into a quest.
One of my happiest memories happened on a visit to Kochi. I was excited to learn of the spice auction – the place where spices were once collected, bargained for, and then taken around the world. I had heard that Kochi was one of the last and that it was still in operation. The information, however, about its accessibility was conflicting. Fortunately, the district with markets is still alive and vibrant. And we were not disappointed.
We ventured through a back alley and into a courtyard: this spice market felt more like a small warehouse. Filled with the colors and scents of spices, I was immediately intoxicated. My eyes widened with pure joy as I was surrounded by the familiar friends of star anise, green and black cardamom, mace, and cinnamon. They seemed more vibrant here, somehow more alive, and my journey into the world of spices only deepened.
Why not select a spice and find out about its origins and travels? You could follow cardamom, the queen of spices, and travel to the Malabar coast of India. Or venture off to Guatemala, which is now the largest producer of this fragrant spice. Take in their fragrance and imagine the days of ports filled with characters, spices and stories.
Or you can discover the varieties of a particular spice. We all use black pepper, but have you tried white, rose, Sichuan, or even Cubeb pepper? Next time you visit a local shop, take a new spice home. A spice journey may be just ahead.
Do you love spices too? I’d love to hear what your favorites are or anything unusual that you may have discovered. How would you use them?
Please post in the comments, and thank you for sharing!
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Interested in reading about spices in a novel form?
Find out more about my novel, “The Spice Temple – The Journey Begins”
SOME INSPIRING LINKS FOR YOU
Recipe: The Spruce Eats - Lithuanian Rye Bread
More about Anise: The Spruce Eats – Anise Introduction
More about Berbere Spices: Epicurious – Ethiopian Berbere Spice Mix
FOLLOW FOR MORE
Instagram: Cindia Luest (what I am up to) / Spice Journeys (Spice Journeys news)
Facebook: Cindia Luest / Spice Journeys
Twitter: Spice Journeys
Thank you for reading this far! 😍
Always makes me want to eat! You asked for a favourite spice...Sumac - sprinkled on roasted or grilled lamb from an open fire....yummy!
Hereby I want to greet my good friend Cindia, who has masterfully written this beautiful book that I recommend reading to everyone. I also want to take this opportunity to greet you on her birthday. Happy Birthday my friend !! Miguel Mendez