DO YOU LOVE FLAVOURS? THEN IT IS FOR YOU. WHAT IS NATIONAL HERB AND SPICES DAY?

 

WHAT ARE HERBS AND SPICES?

Many of us like the term flavors which is used in cooking. But which leads to this flavor. This where we come to know about herbs and spices. You might have heard about this. The reality is that many of us don't know the actual meaning and history behind it. That makes up this article. 

Herbs are plants with aromatic properties which makes them useful in culinary. It was used to garnish foods, give a special flavor to food. The term herb was first used in the 14th century. 

Let's rewind in times, when was the first herb found, or who found the herb? Here we go, as per records herbs were found by Sumerians who lived in Mesopotamia. They created clay tablets with a list of hundreds of medicinal plants such as myrrh and opium. Herbs were not only used for cooking, but it was also mainly used for medication in early periods.

In India, Ayurveda uses more herbs to cure a particular disease without side effects. Where these medication skills would be acquired from. The Rig Veda and Atharva Veda describe details about medical knowledge which acts as the basement for the Ayurveda system.

In China, it is considered that mythological Chinese emperor Shennong written the first Chinese pharmacopeia is a document that lists 365 medicinal plants and their uses.

Many countries had recorded about herbs in ancient types. Slowly, as middle age started experts and linguists tried to translate these scripts in an eligible way of understanding. Which gradually changed to a medical technique that an expert could only handle. That made experts learn these scripts to master in this particular type of medication. 

SPICES

I think we can dive deeper into the spices category.

Spices are seed, flower, root, bark or other plants substance that gives flavor to food. To practically know this definition let's take an easy example that we use daily.

• Cinnamon is a brak tree 
• Cardomom is a seed pod
• Cloves are dry flower buds.

Spices can be used in dry form. But herbs can be used fresh as well as dried.

Getting to know more about spices. Spices are the most valuable thing in ancient and modern times. It reached the level where gold and gems reached. Spices were transported from one place to another by employing donkeys and camels. European explorers started exploring the sea route for fast transportation. Spices were more expensive and valuable in Europe in the Middle ages. Black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger were common during the middle ages.

European explorer Vasco da Gama sailed to India in 1499. When he found the pepper market in India, he was able to secure pepper much cheaper than the ones demanded by Venice.

Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of spices in India. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the next following producers in India. 

First spices were found in Mesopotamia where three clay tablets were found with 30 recipes. The tablets were around 1750. Garlic, cumin, and coriander played a major role in that recipes.

CONCLUSION

National herbs and spices day is celebrated on June 10th. Let's celebrate this herbs and spices day by introducing ourselves to the herbs and spices found in your house and knowing more about their benefits. Use #flavor and type your comments about this day in the comment box below and let's celebrate this National herb and spices day virtually.