Spices

 

From ancient times, certain spices more than others have provided loving enticements and flavor enhancement to foods. In the Old Testament books of Song of Solomon, Proverbs, and Psalms there are verses extolling the romantic excitement offered by various fragrant spices. From Pharaohs to Kings to Explorers, to common folks—all found enjoyment of adding a little spice to life. If it weren’t for our taste buds, food would have no real interest or hold on us.

Want to spice up a special meal for Valentine’s Day? You definitely can by just adding some spices to your food menu selection. Dishes with saffron, ginger, cloves, Cayenne pepper, thyme, cinnamon, and natural vanilla are some aphrodisiac spices. These particular spices are good for your health because they help increase blood circulation and improve your mental state while tantalizing the taste buds.

You can incorporate spices (and herbs) into a special Valentine’s Day meal. Start with a veggie plate and spice infused dip using onion soup base or sour cream base and then add a little cumin, mustard or horseradish. Roast a chicken (whole or chicken breasts) with added spices and herbs as your entrée. Then for dessert, make gingerbread and add whip cream sprinkled with cinnamon when serving.

I hope you have a spice-filled Valentine’s Day.

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Turmeric is from the root of the curcuma longa plant. It has a tough brown skin and a deep orange flesh. Turmeric, when dried, has a peppery, warm, and bitter flavor as well as a fragrance similar to orange and ginger. It is a popular ingredient used in making curry, and gives mustard its bright yellow color. India and Pakistan are significant producers of turmeric.

When using fresh turmeric, you must exercise caution since its deep color can easily stain both clothing and your hands. Many chefs highly suggest wearing kitchen gloves when handling fresh turmeric.

One of the main ingredients in turmeric is curcumin, which gives turmeric its yellow color with potential benefits in promoting an immune system against stress, aiding in maintaining a healthy digestive system, healthy bones, joints, and overall skeletal system, not to mention maintaining cholesterol levels while promoting healthy blood and liver functions. Turmeric is an excellent source of manganese and iron, and combined with cauliflower, it is shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer. It has anti-inflammatory properties, is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and may prevent/slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Turmeric is on our recommended supplement list if you look at “The Plan.”

If you haven’t used this spice before, try some because it’s great for your health!

 

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Horseradish is a root vegetable native to Russia or Hungary. Despite its name, it is unrelated to radishes and poisonous to horses. It is widely used as a condiment and as an ingredient in sauces and dressings. Horseradish is one of the five symbolic bitter herbs celebrated in the Jewish Passover Seder meal.

Both the horseradish root and leaves were used as medicine during the Middle Ages; and in Germany, Scandinavia, and Britain the root was used as a condiment on meats. It was introduced to North America during colonization with both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson mentioning horseradish growing in their gardens.

If you tasted a strong horseradish, you know it brings tears to your eyes and heat to your tongue. The culprit is the volatile mustard-like oil in horseradish. Once the horseradish root is cut, grated, and exposed to air, heat and fumes rapidly deteriorate. Heating horseradish also quickly eliminate its zing and aroma.

What are the health benefits of horseradish? Glucosinolates in the horseradish root increases resistance to cancer, environmental toxins and also acts as a natural antibiotic against various infections and bacteria/fungi toxicity, and aids in rapidly removing waste products from affected areas. Its powerful antioxidant properties aid in relieving sinus and respiratory distress.

Start with a mild horseradish mixture, and enjoy it for your health!

 

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Mustard seeds are from the mustard plant and one of the most popular spices in the world today. There are three principal types of mustard plants used in producing mustard seeds: black, white, and brown. Black mustard seeds have the strongest taste while white mustard seeds are actually yellow, the mildest, and the ones used to make American yellow mustard. Brown mustard seeds (actually a dark yellow color) have a strong acrid taste and used to make Dijon mustard. Mustard seeds are sold either whole or as a ground powder.

Throughout the centuries, people have incorporated mustard seeds medicinally as well as for culinary enhancements. Romans invented a paste from the ground seeds leading to our modern-day mustard condiment. Mustard seeds are mentioned in the New Testament regarding faith and the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13 and 17).  

Mustard seeds are an excellent source of selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, manganese as well as a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, copper, vitamin B1, fiber, and sodium. Mustard stimulates the appetite by increasing salivation, and aiding with digestion, laxative, antiseptic, and stimulating circulation. Mustard neutralizes toxins, helps ward off upset stomachs, but too much can cause irritation. Mustard plasters as well aid in decongesting lungs and clearing sinuses.

Here’s to your health because mustard isn’t just for hot dogs anymore.

 

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Black Pepper is a berry, the fruit of the black pepper plant. The distinctive spicy taste is due to piperine which increases nutrient absorption in foods and supplements. It is available whole (peppercorns), crushed or ground into powder. The best flavor is gained using whole peppercorns and grinding them yourself.

As a much sought-after spice throughout the centuries in both culinary and medical uses, pepper was also used to pay taxes and ransoms. During the Middle Ages the wealth of a man was oftentimes measured by his stockpile of pepper.

The health benefits of black pepper include relief from respiratory disorders, coughs, the common cold, constipation, indigestion, anemia, impotency, muscular strains, dental disease, diarrhea, and heart disease, just to name a few. It is also used to preserve food due to its antibacterial properties; and it is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. As an antioxidant, it can help prevent/repair damages (cardiovascular diseases) caused by free radicals.

Black Pepper is a rich source of Vitamin K, C, B6, riboflavin, manganese, iron, potassium, calcium, and dietary fiber. A sprinkle of black pepper on your food dishes will definitely be an aid to healthy living. A word of caution: black pepper can cause allergic reactions relating to certain medical procedures and should not be taken in high concentrations.

 

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SAFFRON is a unique spice deriving its name from the Arab word zafaran which means yellow. There isn’t a single ingredient known that can substitute for its unique flavor which tends to be different for different pallets. A product of the crocus flower, saffron adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to food with its beautiful regal golden color.

Asia Minor is the native ground where saffron has been cultivated for thousands of years and used this spice not only in medicines but perfumes and dyes. It is a wonderful flavoring for foods and beverages but when used in cooking, it is best to start with conservative amounts. Larger amounts of saffron can be bitter, so you definitely want this particular spice to enhance food dishes, not ruin them. Do not use wooden utensils when cooking with saffron because they will absorb the saffron flavor as well as color.

The health benefits of saffron may not be well-recognized but saffron can reduce fevers, cramps and enlarged livers, as well as to calm nerves. It is used externally for bruises, rheumatism, and neuralgia. Before using this or any other spice medicinally it would be best to consult with your physician.

Uses of saffron are endless—from relishes to entrees to rice pudding to even saffron-buttered popcorn. Enjoy this great spice.

 

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