ALLSPICE Pimenta dioica
Similar in appearance to peppercorns, but with a smoother
surface. The flavor is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and
cloves. Also known as Pimento and Jamaican pepper. Native to
Central America and the West Indies.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ANGELICA Angelica archangelica
Rarely used before the fifteenth century, it soon gained a
reputation for protecting against evil and the plague. Today,
it's most commonly used as a flavoring in liqueurs such as Strega
and Benedictine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CARAWAY Carum carvi
Used as a flavoring and for medicinal purposes (a digestive aid)
since Biblical times. Now used in rye bread and in liqueurs such
as kummel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CARDAMOM Elettaria cardamomum
An aid to digestion, often used as a flavoring in mulled wines
and Turkish coffee. The seed pods can be used whole, or the seeds
can be removed and used on their own. Native to India.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CHILI PEPPERS Capsicum species
The capsicum species contains many sweet and hot peppers. Most of
the "hot" ones are varieties based on the cayenne pepper (C.
frutescens). The hottest cultivated variety is the Habanero
pepper (C. chinense) All have their origins in Central and South
America. The essential oils can irritate mucous membranes and
other delicate tissues.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CINNAMON Cinnamomum zeylanicum
CASSIA Cinnamomum cassia
Both are the bark of trees of the Laurel family. Zeylanicum is
native to Ceylon; Cassia is native to China. Zeylanicum is
lighter, thinner, and of a finer grain than Cassia. In their
flavors, Zeylanicum is the "baking" cinnamon used in pastries,
while Cassia is the "hot" cinnamon used in candies. Some
countries legislate that the two forms must be kept distinct;
others do not. References to cinnamon go back for thousands of
years, but it is not clear which type is being referred to.
Herodotus claimed that cinnamon was gathered by shooting it from
the nest of the phoenix with lead arrows.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CLOVES Syzygium aromaticum
Cloves are the unopened, dried flower buds of a tree native to
the Molucca Islands in the Indian Ocean. As far back as China's
Han dynasty (266 BC to 220 AD) they were being used as a breath
freshener. The oil has some use as an antiseptic and anaesthetic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMFREY Symphytum officinale
Also known as "knitbone", since the root can be pounded into a
sticky mass that can be bound around a fracture to serve as a
cast when it dries. The root is still used in poultices. The
plant itself is a source of vitamin B12 and protein.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CORIANDER Coriandrum sativum
Used for thousands of years, it's one of the bitter herbs to be
eaten at Passover (according to the Mishna). The seeds are used
in baking, confectionery, and in liqueurs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CUBEB Piper cubeba
Closely related to black pepper (P. nigrum), its flavor is
somewhat warmer and more mellow. Also known as "tailed pepper"
because the berries often retain a short stem (which does not
detract from the flavor).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CUMIN Cuminum cyminum
Dating back to Ancient Egypt, the Romans used the seeds just as
we use pepper. Flavors liqueurs
like aquavit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ELDER Sambucus nigra
The elder tree has much legend and magic associated with it,
often confusing and contradictory. A cross made of elder, when
hung over a stable, protects the animals inside. But furniture
made of elder wood brings evil. It's sacred to Hulda and Thor in
Norse mythology, but another tradition says that Jesus' cross was
made of elder wood. As with many other plants, it's customary to
ask permission of the tree before cutting the branches. Summer is
said to begin when the tree is in bloom, and end when the berries
are ripe. Finally, if you sit under an elder tree on Midsummer's
Eve, you will see the King of the Fairies parade by with all his
entourage. The berries can be used for a dark blue dye or in
liqueurs like sambucca. The flowers are used in beverages (an
elderflower & peppermint tea is often used in Europe as a cold
remedy).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FENNEL Foeniculum vulgare
Used for two thousand years. The leaves are used in fish dishes;
the seeds in liqueurs like anisette; and the roots and stalks can
be boiled like a vegetable. One legend says that Prometheus
brought fire to mankind by
hiding coals in a fennel stalk.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FRANKINCENSE Boswellia thurifera
Actually a plant resin that has been valuable for thousands of
years as an aromatic and fixative for perfumes. In Greek
mythology, Leucothea was the daughter of King Orchamus of Persia
and was loved by Apollo. The nymph Clytia
was jealous, so she told Orchamus about his daughter's affair. In
a fit of anger, Orchamus killed Leucothea, but as she lay dying,
Apollo turned her into a frankincense tree.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GALINGALE Alpinia officinarum
The dried rhizome of a relative of the ginger family, it has been
used in cooking as far back as Roman times. Now used primarily in
alcoholic beverages, it has a strong eucalyptus-like aroma which
moderates in cooking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GINGER Zingiber officinale
This rhizome has been used since Ancient Greece. Native to
southeast Asia, it is now cultivated around the world. As with
coffee and many other plant products, ginger has different
characteristics depending on where it is grown. Candied ginger is
useful in preventing motion sickness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAINS OF PARADISE Aframomum melegueta
Also known as melegueta pepper or Guinea grains, it's native to
the Upper Niger region of Africa. A close relative of cardamom,
the two seeds are similar in appearance. Its flavor is quite
pungent, but it moderates with cooking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
HIBISCUS Hibiscus sabdariffa
Also known as roselle, Sudanese tea, red tea, or Jamaica tea.
Thanks to a tart flavor and deep red color, these flowers are
very popular in teas. They can also be used in wines and
preserves. A native of tropical Asia.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
HYSSOP Hyssopus officinalis
Use of this plant may go back to Biblical times. Its strong
flavor limits its culinary use, but it is used in cold remedies.
Legend has it hyssop is one of the ingredients that gave central
European chicken soup part of its medicinal value.
"Hyssop among all purging herbs is best,
And frees from phlegm the overburdened chest.
When cooked with honey 'tis esteemed the chief
Of balms to give the lungs complete relief."
The School of Salerno, 12th century
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
JUNIPER Juniperus communis
Used in stews and German cooking, the roasted berries have been
used as a substitute for pepper and coffee. Now it is most
frequently encountered as the primary flavoring in gin.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
LICORICE Glycyrrhiza glabra
Its use goes back to Ancient Egypt; today it is used to treat
bronchitis, ulcers, and Addison's disease. Non-medicinal uses
include tobacco and snuff manufacturing, candies, and alcoholic
beverages (it's one of the ingredients in Guinness). Its key
component, glycyrrhizin, is about 50 times as sweet as
sugar.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG PEPPER Piper longum/ Piper retrofractum
A relative of black pepper, these berries grow in clusters so
tight that when they are dried they become short cylinders -
hence the name. P. retrofractum is the hotter of the two.
P. longum has been a frequent adulterant of black pepper.
Popular today for home pickling in Europe and in curries in
the Orient, They are called for in recipes for Hypocrass.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
MACE Myristica fragrans
The outer coating of the nutmeg seed, its flavor is naturally
similar. When German Emperor Henry VI was crowned in 1191, mace
was one of the spices strewn in the streets to make his route
smell nice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MARJORAM Origanum majorana
Very closely related to oregano. O. majorana is specifically
sweet marjoram, and is also known botanically as Majorana
hortensis. "Pot marjoram" is Majorana onites, and Wild marjoram
is actually oregano (O. vulgare). Widely used in cooking, but
should be added only at the last minute since its delicate flavor
dissipates quickly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MUSTARD Brassica nigra
This variety is specifically black mustard; there are many other
varieties that are also in use. The Greeks claimed it was
discovered by the legendary physician Aesclepius. In cultivation
for over two thousand years. The characteristic hot flavor is due
to a reaction between chemicals in the seeds and water, and the
yellow color comes from the essential oil.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MYRRH Commiphora molmol
Used primarily in perfumes and incense, it is a dried plant
resin. Named after Myrrha, the daughter of King Cinyrus of Cyprus
and the mother of Adonis. With slight astringent and antiseptic
properties, it is used in some tooth powders and as a mouthwash.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NIGELLA Nigella sativa
Also known as black cumin or fitch (its Biblical name). Widely
cultivated throughout the Middle East, the seeds are used like
pepper or on breads. According to an Arab proverb, "in the black
seed is medicine for every disease except death." Used in
Ethiopia to flavor alcoholic beverages.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUTMEG Myristica fragrans
It has been used as a general tonic. According to Malay legend,
in order to thrive the tree must be planted where it can hear the
sea and be fed with
animal food. NOTE: Nutmeg contains myristicin, a psychotropic
drug similar to mescaline. Use with great care, as even moderate
doses can cause reactions from disorientation to convulsions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PEPPER Piper nigrum
Arguably the most important spice of all time. When Alaric the
Visigoth was threatening to sack Rome in 408, part of his payoff
was 3,000 pounds of pepper. Pepper was often used as a medium of
exchange, since it held its value better than coinage (the term
"peppercorn rent" is related to this).
Black, white, and green peppercorns all come from the same plant;
the different colors are due to when the berries are harvested
and how they are processed. Pink pepper (Schinus
terebinthifolius) and Szechuan
pepper (Xanthophyllum piperitum) are berries from unrelated
plants. Medieval legend said that pepper trees were native to
Armenia (actually, they are native to southern India) where their
forests were filled with poisonous serpents. To drive the
serpents away, the forest was set on fire. The pepper berries
absorbed the heat of the fire (that's how they got their taste)
and were burned black by it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ROSEHIPS Rosa canina
The fruit of the wild rose, they are rather tart and are a good
source of Vitamin C. They are commonly used in teas and
conserves.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SAFFRON Crocus sativa
Saffron threads are the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus. It
takes around 225,000 stigmas to get a pound of saffron (about 250
flowers for one pennyweight). Cultivated in Europe since the
ninth century, severe penalties were often imposed for
adulterating it. Used in cooking for coloring as well as flavor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SAGE Salvia officinalis
One of the most important medicinal herbs; an Arab proverb says
"How can a man die when he has sage in his garden?" The plant has
been cultivated for thousands of years.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SANDERS Pterocarpus santalinus
Sanders is powdered red sandalwood, which is primarily used as a
coloring and dye. It does have a delicate aroma and flavor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TANSY Tanacetum vulgare
Traditionally used as an insect repellent, the dried flower tops
have also been used in "tansy cakes", a type of pancake
traditionally eaten during Lent when its bitter taste was a
reminder of Jesus' suffering. Also used as a treatment for
intestinal worms.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THYME Thymus vulgaris
There are a large number of varieties of thyme, many of which are
used for ornamental purposes. Has some medicinal value as an
antiseptic. Widely used in cooking, as well as some liqueurs like
Benedictine. "To smell of thyme" is a commendation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TURMERIC Curcuma longa
A relative of ginger, it used to be just as important. The key
ingredient in curry powder, it is also used as a dyestuff.
Although its color is like that of saffron, it should not be used
as a substitute.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
VANILLA Vanilla planifolia
The vanilla bean is the seed pod of an orchid native to Mexico.
Cultivated with difficulty in other tropical regions, since the
insect that pollinates the flower is a Mexican native that has
not been relocated with the flower. The beans can be pricked
before harvest to brand them as a means of verifying their
origin. The essential oil, vanillin, has been synthesized - but
as with many things the natural flavor is superior.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POUDRE FORTE
Meaning "strong powder", it is one of five spice blends mentioned
in medieval sources. Others include "poudre blanche" (white
powder) and "poudre douce" (sweet powder). Exact recipes for
Poudre Forte are rare; our blend of cubebs, cloves, mace, nutmeg,
ginger, black pepper, grains of paradise,
cinnamon, and cassia is based on spices mentioned in addition to
poudre forte in recipes as well as kitchen research. It serves as
an "all-purpose" blend, and can be used in anything from meatloaf
to apple pie.