Spice of life Spices have been the catalysts of some of the greatest Adventures in human history, like Christopher Columbus' voyage. Still today. Spices empower us as Explorers, even if we never journey beyond the kitchen Counter. They energize our daily adventures in food And remind us of journeys to exotic places and favorite Meals with loved ones.
Though the word "spice" didn't appear until the end of The 12th century (a derivative of the latin word Species," which denoted a wide variety of products), the Use of herbs dates back to early humans. Primitive Peoples wrapped meat in the leaves of bushes, Accidentally discovering that this enhanced the taste Of the meat, as did certain nuts, seeds, berries--and even Bark. In ancient times, spices and herbs were used as a Way to mask the often unpleasant taste and odor of Food, and later, to keep food fresh.
The first spice expeditions were organized in ancient Times to ensure that these coveted commodities would Always be in supply. Legend has it that around 1000 b.c. Queen sheba visited king solomon in jerusalem to offer Him "120 measures of gold, many spices, and precious Stones."a handful of cardamom was worth as much as a Poor man's yearly wages, and many slaves were bought And sold fora few cups of peppercorns.
Arab traders were the first to introduce spices into Europe. Realizing that they controlled a commodity in Great demand, the traders kept their sources of supply Secret and made up fantastic tales of the dangers Involved in obtaining spices.
At the crossroads of land trade from india and sea Trade from the mediterranean, spices played a huge role In phoenician trade. The phoenicians were expert Merchants and smooth navigators; so much so that at The end of the 14th century b.c., spices were called "phoenician merchandise." these slick middlemen knew How to offertheirservices to kings as well as pharaohs In order to extend their supply sites and possibly pave The way to india.
But spices' origins remained a mystery, despite the fact That, in the 4th century b.c., the great conqueror Alexander the great lifted a part of the veil of this Mysterious, magical india where, as herodotus wrote, "cinnamon grows in deep lakes, nearthe homes of flying Animals."
We participate on the following International exhibition for Food sector
