The Spice Routes, known as Maritime Silk Roads, encompassed vast sea routes connecting East and West. Stretching over 15,000 kilometres from Japan's west coast through Indonesia, India, the Middle East, and across the Mediterranean to Europe, these routes were pivotal in exchanging goods and ideas. From ancient times, traders navigated these treacherous seas, driven not just by adventure but primarily by the pursuit of trade. Spices, such as cinnamon from Sri Lanka and nutmeg from the Spice Islands (modern-day Indonesia), were among the most coveted commodities.
The demand for these exotic spices spurred intense competition and, tragically, incidents like the Banda Massacre of 1621, where the Dutch East India Company ruthlessly sought control over nutmeg production, leading to the loss of thousands of lives. These routes were conduits for commerce and channels for exchanging knowledge and cultures, making ports vibrant centres of innovation and diversity along the way.
Garlic and onions, staples of ancient diets, are even mentioned in the Bible, underscoring their historical significance. In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites reminisce about the foods they enjoyed in Egypt, expressing their longing during their desert wanderings:
‘We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.’ (Numbers 11:5)
This biblical reference not only highlights the culinary traditions of ancient Egypt but also reflects the deep-rooted value of these flavorful plants in the daily lives and diets of the Israelites as they journeyed to the Promised Land.
~Biblical References to Garlic and Onions
Spice or Herb?
Herbs come from leafy parts of plants and can be used fresh or dried, while spices come from seeds, bark, roots, or fruits and are typically dried. Herbs have a milder flavor and are used for finishing dishes, whereas spices have a stronger flavor and are used in the foundational stages of cooking.
Did you know? Sesame was believed to have magical powers. The phrase “Open sesame” (in Arabic ", badhour al-samsam") originates from the classic tale of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” in One Thousand and One Nights.
Ancient Myths
Lovage: associated with love, used in ancient potions
Myrtle: protected against evil spirits in rituals
Rue: believed to be protective
Cinnamon: considered an aphrodisiac in love potions in ancient Rome
Nutmeg: believed to have magical properties in Middle Ages witchcraft
Fennel: linked to Greek courage and given to warriors
Juniper berries: believed to protect against spirits
Black cumin: used to ward off evil
Pimento: guarded against curses in Caribbean folklore
Tabasco peppers: linked to Aztec fire deities
Tamarind: believed to bring fortune in some cultures
Vanilla: associated with love and romance
Marjoram: tied to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, in its origin myth
Cinnamon: associated with the story of “Open sesame” in Arabian tales
Thyme: associated with the Virgin Mary’s bed and medieval courage
Rosemary: symbolizes love, fidelity, memory aid, and disease warding
Dill: used to ward off witches in ancient Egypt, symbol of luck in Rome, and wealth in Greece
Mint: named after the nymph Minthe in Greek mythology
Basil: sacred herb in Hindu traditions, linked to burial ceremonies
Lavender: holy herb in Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology for cleansing and offerings
Oregano: attributed to Aphrodite in Greek mythology for happiness
Chamomile: one of nine sacred herbs in Saxon mythology, revered by Egyptians related to the sun god Ra
Bay Leaf: linked to Apollo and Daphne myth, symbolizing victory, honor, and used in culinary practices
Common Herbs
Angelica
- Origin: Native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
- Medicinal Use: Used for women’s reproductive issues and improving blood circulation in traditional Chinese medicine. It treats heartburn, gas, loss of appetite, arthritis, circulation issues, respiratory catarrh (runny nose), nervousness, plague, and insomnia. Women use it to induce menstruation, sometimes for abortion. Angelica also increases urine production, enhances libido, stimulates phlegm production, and kills germs. Rxlist
- Interesting Facts: Known as “dong quai” in traditional Chinese medicine. In Japan, a variety called ashitaba is known for growing a new leaf almost daily after being harvested.
Basil
- Origin: Native to India and other tropical regions of Asia.
- Medicinal Use: Antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and helps with digestive issues.Webmd
- Interesting Facts: Known as “king of herbs” in Greek; associated with love and good fortune in various cultures.
Bay Leaves
- Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region.
- Medicinal Use: Helps with digestion and alleviates headaches. WebMD
- Interesting Fact: Used to flavor soups, stews, and sauces, but often removed before serving due to their tough texture.
Fennel
- Origin: Most probably the Mediterranean region.
- Medicinal Use: Alleviates menstrual cramps and relaxes the colon. healthline, WebMD
- Interesting Fact: In ancient Greece, fennel was associated with strength and courage.
Field Mint
- Origin: Widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Medicinal Use: Soothes digestive issues and alleviates symptoms of colds and headaches. healthline
- Fun Fact: Often found in the wild with a refreshing menthol aroma.
French Tarragon
- Origin: Native to Eurasia.
- Medicinal Use: Stimulates appetite, aids digestion, and relieves toothaches. WebMD
- Fun Fact: Prized in French cuisine for its anise-like flavor.
Garden Nasturtium
- Origin: Native to the Andes Mountains.
- Medicinal Use: Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, antibacterial properties. Use to treat cough, UTI and tremors RxList
- Fun Fact: Leaves and flowers are edible and have a peppery flavor.
Hyssop
- Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia.
- Medicinal Use: Treats respiratory conditions, sore throat, and digestive issues. WebMD
- Fun Fact: Mentioned in ancient texts for its cleansing properties.
Lovage
- Origin: Native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
- Medicinal Use: Alleviates bloating and digestive discomfort. In Iranian folk medicine, lovage is used to treat various gastrointestinal, nervous, and rheumatic disorders. It is a key ingredient in many diuretic tea mixtures and is used to address kidney stones, jaundice, malaria, sore throat, pleurisy, rheumatism, gout, and boils. ScienceDirect
- Interesting Fact: Believed to have been introduced to Britain by the Romans.
- Myth: Associated with love and used in ancient love potions in ancient Roman.
Myrtle
- Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region. It is used as food and food flavouring.
- Medicinal Use: Used as an astringent and for respiratory health. According to NIH, it is a versatile medicinal plant. National Library of Medicine
- Interesting Fact: Symbol of love and immortality in ancient Greek mythology.
- Myth: Believed to protect against evil spirits.
Sage
- Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region.
- Medicinal Use: Used as an anti-inflammatory and for digestive issues, including loss of appetite, gas, gastritis, diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn. RxList
- Myth: Thought to promote longevity and wisdom in ancient times.
Wild Thyme
- Origin: Native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
- Medicinal Use: Used to treat respiratory issues and as a natural antiseptic. National Library of Medicine
- Other Facts: Known for its aromatic, earthy flavor. Rich in vitamin A, C & K
- Myth: Considered a symbol of bravery in ancient Greece and Rome.
Common Spices
Allspice
- Origin: Native to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.
- Medicinal Use: Helps relieve pain and treats nausea and menopause symptoms PMC
- Interesting Fact: Named because it tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Anise
- Origin: Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean region.
- Medicinal Use: Treats indigestion, constipation, migraines, and more. Webmd
- Special Use: Used as a mouth freshener in Southeast Asia.
Annatto
- Origin: Indigenous to tropical regions of the Americas, especially Brazil.
- Medicinal Use: Rich in antioxidants, used to treat skin conditions and promote eye health.healthline
- Interesting Fact: Known for its use as a natural dye.
Asafoetida
- Origin: Central Asia, eastern Iran, and Afghanistan.
- Medicinal Use: Helps with muscle spasms, constipation, calming, chest congestion, and phlegm release.healthline
Black Cumin
- Origin: Native to Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean.
- Medicinal Use: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. WebMD
- Interesting Fact: Mentioned in ancient texts like the Bible and the writings of Hippocrates.
Caraway
- Origin: Europe and western Asia.
- Medicinal Use: Aids digestion and alleviates spasms in the stomach and intestines. WebMD
- Special Use: Used in alcoholic beverages like aquavit and kummel.
Cayenne Pepper
- Origin: Native to the Americas.
- Medicinal Use: Contains capsaicin, which has pain-relieving properties. WebMD
- Fun Fact: Scoville scale measures chili heat.
Chinese Keys (Galangal Ginger, Fingerroot)
- Origin: Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Medicinal Use: Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. healthline
- Fun Fact: Also known as fingerroot due to its finger-like appearance.
Cinnamon
- Origin: Native to Sri Lanka and Burma.
- Medicinal Use: A natural mood enhancer, helps regulate blood sugar .WebMD
- Interesting Fact: Highly prized in ancient Egypt for embalming and religious practices.
Cloves
- Origin: Native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.
- Medicinal Use: Used as an analgesic for dental work.WebMD
- Other Uses: Essential oils used in aromatherapy and as a mosquito repellent.
Coriander
- Origin: Believed to be from Israel and Portugal.
- Medicinal Use: Helps lower blood sugar and contains vitamin C, Magnesium and antioxidants. WebMD
- Other Uses: Essential in Indian cooking and in garam masala.
- Other Facts: Records of coriander use date back to 5000 BCE. The Romans used it to flavour bread.
Cumin
- Origin: Mediterranean region, also cultivated in China, India, and Mexico.
- Medicinal Use: Helps with digestive problems and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). WebMD
Juniper Berries
- Origin: Native to Northern Hemisphere regions like Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Medicinal Use: Used as a diuretic and to treat digestive issues. WebMD
- Interesting Fact: Key flavoring ingredient in gin production.
Mace
- Origin: Moluccas in Indonesia and to the West Indies.
- Medicinal Use: Promotes dental health, improves sleep, and uplifts mood. WebMD, RxList
- Interesting Fact: Was so highly prized during the colonial era that it was a significant cause of conflict between the Dutch and the British.
Mustard
- Origin: Native to the temperate regions of Europe.
- Medicinal Use: Rich in selenium and magnesium, stimulates appetite and aids digestion. WebMD
- Interesting Fact: Use dates back over 5,000 years.
Nutmeg
- Origin: Moluccas in Indonesia and to the West Indies.
- Medicinal Use: Promotes dental health, improves sleep, and uplifts mood. WebMD
- Interesting Fact: In large quantities, nutmeg can cause hallucinations.
Paprika
- Origin: Native to the Americas.
- Medicinal Use: Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. healthline
- Interesting Fact: Used to add color and flavor to dishes.
Poppy
- Origin: Sumerian domesticated 6000 BCE, present-day Western and Central Europe.
- Medicinal Use: Contain small quantities of morphine and codeine. WebMD, healthline
- Culinary Use: Used for their nutty flavor in bread and cakes.
Saffron
- Origin: Persia (present day Iran), spread to Greece and Southwest Asia.
- Medicinal Use: Promotes relaxation and improves mood. Antioxidant boost to prevent cancer, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) relief, Weight loss aid, anticonvulsant, Erectile dysfunction (ED) remedy, antidepressant. Cleaveland Clinic Drugs.com
- Interesting Fact: One of the world’s most expensive spices by weight due to its laborious harvesting.
Star Anise
- Origin: Native to northeast Vietnam and southern China.
- Medicinal Use: Treats digestive issues and respiratory infections.WebMD
- Interesting Fact: Main source of shikimic acid, used in the production of the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
Sesame
- Known for: Their nutty taste, sesame seeds are used in Asian cuisine, baked goods, and to produce sesame oil.
- Origins: Sesame likely originated in Asia or East Africa. Ancient Egyptians were known to have used it.
- Culinary Use: Baking, salads, Asian cuisine including China, Japan, and Korea.
- Other Uses: The Chinese have used it for 5000 years. They burned it to make soot for their fine ink.
- Interesting Facts: Sesame was believed to have magical powers. The phrase “Open sesame” (in Arabic “iftah ya simsim”) originates from the classic tale of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” in One Thousand and One Nights.
- Medicinal Use: A good source of fiber and protein, sesame seeds help reduce triglycerides and cholesterol. healthline
Sumac
- Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East.
- Medicinal Use: Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. healthline
- Fun Fact: Has a tangy, lemony flavor.
Tamarind
- Origin: Native to tropical Africa.
- Medicinal Use: Used to treat digestive issues and as a mild laxative. healthline
- Interesting Fact: A key ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.
- Culinary Use: Tamarind pulp (fruit) is extensively used in cooking across South and Southeast Asia, Mexico, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, with its seeds and leaves also being edible.
White Pepper
- Origin: India and Southeast Asia.
- Medicinal Use: Contains piperine, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. WebMD
- Interesting Fact: Has a milder flavor compared to black pepper.