The Topic: Spices
If you need information about a specific spice or herb, go to our companion webpage entitled Individual Herbs & Spices to find lots more websites - - too many to fit onto this page.   Easier - Spices are seasonings for food that come from the bark, buds, fruit or flower parts, roots, seeds or stems of various aromatic plants and trees.   Harder - According to the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), spices are 'any dried plant product used primarily for seasoning purposes.' This definition covers a wide range of plant and plant parts: tropical aromatics, leafy herbs, spice seeds, roots, dehydrated vegetables, and spice blends.   At one time only tropical aromatics like pepper, cinnamon, and cloves were considered a spice. The leaves and seeds of temperate-zone plants like basil and oregano were known as herbs. Today this classification has shifted somewhat, even though still used in some circles. The term spice now generally includes a whole range of elements: spices, herbs, blends and dehydrated vegetables.   Legally the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still considers dehydrated vegetables as separate and distinct from spices; they require such seasonings to be labeled differently than spices. Spices used for coloring like paprika and saffron are also labeled separately or as a 'spice coloring.' The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) follows similar rules as the FDA. Spice colorings and mustard must be labeled separate from spices, onion and garlic are listed as flavors, and all other dehydrated vegetables are labeled separately by name.   History of the Spice Trade from the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) http://astaspice.org/history/frame_history.htm Here is a history of the spice trade from the organization that serves and leads the spice industry. Related Websites: 2) Age of Discovery http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/HCS210/HortOrigins/AgeofDiscovery.html 3) Exploring the World of Spices by W.W. Weaver for the Saturday Evening Post http://muweb.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/art/WEAVER-1.ART 4) History of Spices http://www.ducros.fr/FRPGPROM/FRCUISIN/FRPRODUI/PGFRRTEP/body_pgfrrtep 1.HTM 5) Influence of Spice Trade on the Age of Discovery by P. Strassman http://marauder.millersv.edu/~columbus/papers/strass-1.html 6) Lure of Spices from the Encyclopedia and Culture Guide of Indonesia http://www.indonesianheritage.com/Encyclopedia/Early_Modern_History/Trade_And_Rel igion/Lure_Of_Species/body_lure_of_species.html 7) Spice History from Chef Ron http://www.chefron.com/NewsDetail.cfm?ArticleID=90 8) Spice History from McCormick http://www.mccormick.com/mc/spicehistory.cfm 9) Spice Trade from Stefan's Florilegium (Message Archive) http://www.florilegium.org/files/COMMERCE/p-spice-trade-msg.html 10) Spice Trade and History of Spices at One Planet http://www.oneplanetnatural.com/spicetrade.htm 11) Spice Trade, A Taste of Adventure http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/spicetrd.html 12) Spice Trade: Origin at Kasum Spices http://www.kusumspices.com/Origin.html 13) Spice Trade: Transition at Kasum Spices http://www.kusumspices.com/Transition.html 14) Spice Trade: Today at Kasum Spices http://www.kusumspices.com/Today.html   Encyclopedia of Spices http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/spiceref.html This website includes the spice pages, spice trade, and related articles. Related Websites: 2) Glossary of Herbs and Spices from Yankee Harvest http://www.yankeeharvest.com/spicemill/yhspgloss.htm 3) Herbs and Spices from NetCooks http://www.netcooks.com/HerbsSpices.html 4) Spice Encyclopedia from McCormick http://www.mccormick.com/mc/prd/spenc.cfm 5) Spice Facts from the Spice Encyclopedia http://www.spiceadvice.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia.html 6) Spices & Herbs at Culinary Cafe http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_Herbs/index.html   Herbs & Spices Information and Recipes at About.com http://homecooking.about.com/cs/herbsspices1/index.htm Here is a large collection of articles and links about herbs and spices. Don't miss the second webpage- part 2. Other Related Webpages at About.com: 2) Spices and Seasonings - Southeast Asia http://seasianfood.about.com/cs/spicesseasonings/   Spice Advice http://ggoaley.vwh.net/index.html This comprehensive site for information includes the history of spices, a spice encyclopedia, recipes, spice usage tips, and more. Not To-Be-Missed Section: 2) Sugar and Spice Kids Section http://www.spiceadvice.com/childrens/index.html   After visiting several of the websites, complete one or more of the following projects:   Test Your Knowledge of Spices. See if you can answer the questions at Spice Trivia from the American Spice Trade Association.   Complete a Spices WebQuest. Adapt or follow the procedures found at the following webQuest sites: 1) Join the Spice Trade (Grade 8) http://imet.csus.edu/imet1/peshette/spice_trade/index.htm 2) Spice of Life http://wwwbir.bham.wednet.edu/class/hinshaw/EXPLORE/SPICES.HTM 3) Spice Up Your Life! by A.B. Lublin (Grade 8) http://www.homebase8.net/webquest8/communication_arts/spices/index.htm   Map the Spice World. Start with a world map. Identify the countries where particular spices were first found. Then show the major locations where that same spice is cultivated today. Do this for the major spices of today's world market. You could make your 'Spice Map' more visual by incorporating pictures of the spice plant or actual samples. Consider including the historic trade routes, both overland and by sea. What are today's the growing locations?   Campaign for Your Favorite Spice. Decide on your favorite spice. Then research to learn about its source, cultivation, properties - - everything that you can about the spice. Include history and trade information. Now, convince others that it should be elected 'Spice of the Year.' Create a poster promoting your choice.   Create A Spice Museum Collection. Collect samples of many different spices. Combine the samples with descriptions of each. Include pictures, graphs, and maps where appropriate. Display your 'Spice Museum.'   Construct A Spice History Timeline. The history of the spice trade is linked with exploration and world history. Create your own timeline that highlights the important dates, events, and people connected to the spice trade.
More Herb and Spice Websites Arab Spice Trade and Spread of Islam http://www.american.edu/TED/SPICE.HTM This academic paper on a case study examines the role that the spice routes and spice trading had in the spread of the religion of Islam.   Frequently Asked Questions about Spices http://home.att.net/~edible-complex/faq-spices.html This posting answers commonly asked questions about Spices: their nature, use, and storage. Similar Websites: 2) Ask Chilli Willie http://www.curryhouse.co.uk/cw/ask.htm 3) Curry House FAQ http://www.curryhouse.co.uk/faq/spices.htm 4) Flavouring the World. The FAQ about Spices http://www.open.hr/space/herbs/culinary/spices.htm 5) Kitchen Spice Substitution Chart from Yankee Harvest http://www.yankeeharvest.com/spicemill/spicesub.htm 6) Spice Trade - Interesting Facts http://www.knet.co.za/nutmeg/spice_trade.htm 7) Spices http://www.essortment.com/in/Food.Spices/   How to Use Spices by J. Walker from Cooking 101 http://www.azcentral.com/home/food/cooking101/lesson1-7.shtml This article has several recommendations for cooking with herbs and spices. Related Articles: 2) Spice of Life http://www.azcentral.com/home/food/cooking101/lesson1-5.shtml 3) Herbs and Spices from the Virginia Cooperative Extension http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/foods/348-907/348-907.html   Indian Spices from the Spices Board of India http://www.indianspices.com/ Here you can learn about the long history and current state of the spice trade in India. Similar Websites: 2) History of the Spice Trade in India http://www.emory.edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/Spice_Trade.html 3) History, Adventure Lurk in Your Spice Rack by K. Eddy, Knight Ridder Newspapers http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/features/food/3172477.htm 4) History of Spices is the History of Trade (Kerala, India, & Molucca Islands, Indonesia) http://www.albany.edu/~jfeeney/econ360/Adventure.htm 5) Lanka Spice Limited (Sri Lanka) http://www.agro-lanka.org/MCCURRIE/Intro.html 6) Portuguese and the Spice Trade from the Rough Guide http://travel.roughguides.com/content/11606/27111.htm 7) Spice of Life http://www.feer.com/1999/9908_19/p46inreview.html 8) Spice Trade (Sri Lanka) http://www.adamexpo.net/spice/trade.html 9) Spices and the Spice Islands http://www.duyfken.com/original/spice-islands.html 10) Spices of the Middle East http://www.fareshare.net/spice-history.html 11) Taste of Adventure from the Economist http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=179810 12) Vietnam Sniffs Out Niche in Spice Trade from Asia Times http://www.atimes.com/se-asia/AF24Ae02.html   Spice Trade Route http://mmbc.bc.ca/source/schoolnet/exploration/sproute.html This sea route was originally used by Arab and Chinese traders. Another Spice Map: 2) Spice Trade Route (Marco Polo) http://www.mariner.org/age/images/mpolo.gif    Spices and the History of the Spice Trade by K. Collins http://www.millersv.edu/~columbus/papers/collins1.html Here is an online paper on the history of spices. Other Online Spice Articles: 2) Capsicums from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/2001/0201sr.html 3) Chutney Cha Cha And Salsa Dancing by C. Chickering from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/2001/0201cc.html 4) Curious About Curry by T. Gelber http://www.usfoodservice.com/publications/archive/Quint_Fall00/article5.html 5) Designing for the Hispanic Market by S.R. Uhl from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/1996/0396PR.html 6) Fire and Spice by S.R. Uhl from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/1996/0596DE.html 7) Galore Spices by M. Belge from Anatolia http://www.anatolia.com/food_and_drink/spices/ 8) Masala Masters by D.A. Welland http://www.usfoodservice.com/publications/archive/Quint_Fall00/article3.html 9) Seasoning Meats by L. Brandt from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/1996/0796AP.html 10) Secret World of Spices by R.C. Deis from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/1999/0899cs.html 11) Southwest Cuisine is Hot, Hot, Hot by R. Sierengowski from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/2001/0401cc.html 12) Spice Extractives from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/2000/0300sr.html 13) Spice Use and Technology Expand by A.P. Wilkes from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/1992/0892DE.html 14) Tasty Solutions for Marinades by P. Frank from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/2001/0301ap.html 15) Turning up the Heat by N.C. Rodriguez from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/2001/0501fo_s.html 16) Zing Is the Thing by S.R. Uhl from the Culinary Connection http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/1997/0797AP.html   Websites For Teachers Moving With Trade by M.F. Higuchi (Grades 3-6) http://www.hawaii.edu/hga/GAW97/trade.html This lesson introduces students to the European spice trade and exploration.   Spice of Life (Grade 5) http://wwwbir.bham.wednet.edu/class/hinshaw/EXPLORE/SPICLES.HTM This lesson plan involves the student in learning about the impact the spice trade had on exploration.   Spice Trade (Grades 6-9) http://www.macatawa.org/~paws/eft/student3/mq.spice.html http://www.macatawa.org/~paws/eft/student3/mq.spice.teachers.html In this Mini-Quest, the student will learn how the demand for spices has caused many events in history.   spice spice trade curry flavor food preservation spice route
plant parts fruit flower bark root seed
bud secretion dry spice texture visual appeal aroma
cracked seeds oil-base roasting 'king of spices' spice market herb
salt fragrant spice box grower spice chest 'Silk Road'
spicy food balm myrrh shipper Spice Islands process
dehydrate grind extract slavery recipe food
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Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 9/01.