6 ancient spices that shaped the history of the world

Spices not only change the taste of food, but have played an important role in shaping human history. From salt as a food preservative to pepper as a valuable medicine, each of these spices have stories that have been with us for centuries. In this article, we will examine the origin of 6 famous spices, each of which has played an important role in history.

1. pepper

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Consuming a lot of pepper causes sweating; For this reason, ancient people believed that this spice is an excellent medical treatment. Chinese doctors used it to treat malaria, cholera, and diarrhea, while Indian monks consumed small amounts of it as a source of energy for their long journeys. Later, pepper became so valuable that it was used as a form of currency to pay rent and taxes in Europe. In one exceptional case, Attila, the ruler of the Han, received about 3,000 pounds of pepper as compensation in 408 AD to stop looting Rome.

2. salt

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Salt is probably the most valuable food additive throughout history because it was the best way to preserve food before the invention of the refrigerator. The Cheharabad salt mines and the Mardan Namaki Museum in Iran also show the ability of salt to preserve the body. Four salt men have been discovered in these mines, mummified in a strange way, and two of them may date back to around 650 BC; But the use of salt is much older than this. In China, 4,700-year-old writings mention its value. More than 40 types of salt are mentioned in Peng-tsau-kan-mu, one of the first pharmacology texts.

3. cinnamon

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Cinnamon, originally from Sri Lanka, has been popular worldwide for thousands of years. The first written evidence of it in China dates back to 2,800 BC and introduces cinnamon under the name “Kwai”. Cinnamon was also used by the ancient Egyptians in embalming; Probably because of its antibacterial properties. The Romans were also fond of cinnamon for medical and emotional reasons. “Pliny the Great” recorded the value of cinnamon about 15 times its weight in silver.

4. nutmeg

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Nutmeg has been popular since the time of Pliny the Great. He mentions a strange plant that produces two spices; Nutmeg (the seed) and Mace (the red covering around the seed). Its unique fragrance has been noticed since ancient times. Most of the nutmeg in the world today is obtained from the island of Grenada in the Caribbean Sea, and this spice is an important part of the country’s economy.

5. ginger

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Marco Polo didn’t bring pasta from China, but he reintroduced ginger to Europe. Ginger was very popular during the Roman Empire; But with the collapse of the empire, this spice was gradually forgotten. Queen Elizabeth I was very fond of ginger and may be the one who popularized gingerbread.

6. horseradish

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The spicy taste of horseradish has caused it to be used for 3,500 years as a treatment for various diseases, from rheumatism to lack of libido. Hippocrates also mentioned horseradish and said that it is useful for treating diseases. In the Middle Ages, horseradish spread as a fashionable food across Europe and Scandinavia, and by the late 17th century it had become one of the most important foods in Britain.

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