It might be hard to imagine, but some 5000 years ago, the jar of peppercorns lying in the back of your kitchen shelf had more value than gold! A few pods of cardamom were enough to buy a cow, and a few roots of ginger could buy sheep meat for your next meal.
The history of spices is full of so many layers and can be traced to a vast array of countries. Spices mainly originated in South East Asian countries like India, China, Vietnam and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), along with Middle Eastern countries like Egypt. Ancient Egyptian artifacts present proof that spices were used during the embalming of mummies. Indian ayurvedic studies dating back to thousands of years refer to the usage of spices like turmeric and poppy for medicinal purposes. The ancient Hindu text, Ramayana, mentions cloves, which establishes its presence during the Vedic age. Similarly, the Bible contains a psalm, which refers to spices being as valuable as gold and precious stones. Much later on, spices eventually became a popular trading commodity and led explorers around the world in its search, including Christopher Columbus.
But how were these precious spices discovered? Where were they found? If this piques your curiosity, continue reading as we retrace the history of six special ingredients – which people commonly use today – to fully understand the origin of spices.
Black Pepper
Native to India, black pepper, the origin of this spice dates back some 4000 years ago. The seeds of a green berry plant found in southern India were cooked and dried until they formed shriveled black peppercorns. This delightful spice is said to contain medicinal properties and was once equivalent to a man’s life! Pepper trade is still a very profitable business – it accounts for 25% of the world’s spice trade.
Ginger
Around 500 BC, ginger was discovered in China and was actively exported to Europe from China and other Asian countries. Ginger is known to be a strong flavoring agent, and it is coveted for its medicinal qualities. For example, ginger juice is said to be good for curing sour throats and can help burn fat. Ginger features majorly in oriental cuisines, especially in broths, soups, and curries. Closer to home, ginger tea (adrak chai) is quite a popular beverage.
Turmeric
Turmeric is India’s gift to the world! This yellow spice belongs to the ginger family and is said to have originated in India nearly 4000 years ago. As per the history of spices, turmeric is said to have been to be used in various Indian religious customs, including weddings. Its antibacterial properties also help to address minor cuts and bruises along, and it keeps the skin fresh and glowing.
Cardamom
Found extensively in the southern region of India, Cardamom is another flavorsome spice. It is used extensively in sweet and savory dishes for its aromatic properties. Ancient Egyptians used cardamom as part of their embalming paste – this underscores the fact that trade existed between the Middle East and India, the place of origin of this spice.
Cloves
There is no concrete information on where cloves were first discovered, but they feature in ancient Hindu texts. And, it even caused fights between tribes. The name ‘clove’ originates from a French word that means ‘nails,’ as the dried clove buds look similar to nails. Quite a mysterious spice!
Saffron
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Why? Well, it is obtained from the stigma of a plant that not only grows only once a year but is also very difficult to collect. Saffron is found mostly in the northern part of India among the hills. Mainly used to add color and aroma to sweet dishes and a few savory dishes, saffron is also used in religious rituals and is said to be favored both by Alexander the Great and Cleopatra.
The history of spices and its origin is indeed fascinating and responsible for many historical events that define how our world is today. India has also played an important role in the origin of spices. So, always celebrate the spice in your life and keep it tasting good!
