Archaeologists believe that up to 50,000 B.C. humans were using the unique properties in aromatic plants enhance the flavor of their food. The primitive man could utilize the aromatic spices to make food more flavorful. The trade in spices developed across in the Middle East in around 2000 BC using pepper and cinnamon. The Egyptians employed herbs for embalming and their demand for exotic plants helped boost the world’s trade. Actually, the word spice has the same root as species, which means different kinds of goods. Around the year 1000 BC China as well as India were both developing a medical system built on herbs. The early uses were associated with the supernatural and theology, religion, tradition and even preservation.
The old Indian epic called Ramayana refers to cloves in the Ramayana epic. In any event it is believed that the Romans were using cloves as early as early AD 1st, because Pliny the Elder mentioned the cloves within his works.
Indonesian merchants traversed China, India, the Middle East and the east coast of Africa. Arab merchants helped to facilitate routes between both the Middle East and India. Despite the fact that the origins of spice were widely known across Europe in the middle ages, no of the rulers had any intention that they would break the Venetian grip on trade routes. In the 15th century the first explorers started to build vessels and set out to the world to find new ways to get to the spice producing regions. Thus began the famous voyages of discovery. In 1491, John Cabot sailed on behalf of England and fourteen years later, in 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed under the flag of Spain However, both failed to find the legendary spice regions (although Columbus returned from his voyage with a variety of new vegetables and fruits such as chilli peppers). The expedition was under the direction of Pedro Alvares Cabral, a Portuguese expedition that was the first to bring spice from India to Europe via the Cape of Good Hope in 1502.
Health benefits of Spice
Spices are plants which, due to their properties, can be used as preservatives, dyes, or even as medicine. Spices help with digestion and absorption of nutrients when they are paired with meats beans and dairy products The spices also provide delicious flavors to rice and chicken. Spices have beneficial effects due to their antioxidant capacity. can be utilized as an replacement for chemical preservatives.
They have a long history of use. They play important contributions to the culture of heritage and in the understanding of the food we eat and connection with health. For example, Cardamom is used in alternative medicine to eliminate the toxins. It is also connected to anti-tumor properties. Capsicum, a key ingredient found in cayenne peppers, has been found to boost circulation and assist in weight reduction. Antioxidant properties of Cinnamon are well-known in Chinese medical practices. It’s also proven to improve the sensitivity to glucose. In the past , cumin was used to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients. However, recent studies have shown that cumin may possess antibacterial properties, particularly in digestion. The black pepper is proven to reduce blood lipids and reduce cholesterol absorption. Curcumin, an active component that is found in turmeric, has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibiotic, anti-fungal, and anticancer properties. It can be used to treat diseases like arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, allergies and malignant diseases as well as other chronic diseases. Consumption of garlic or oil has been linked with lower levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, as well as the levels of triglycerides. Studies have shown that a consumption between one and half garlic clove daily can reduce cholesterol by 9%.