What are herbs and spices? - Amherst

Whatareherbsandspices?

Plantproductsthatareaddedtofoodordrinktoprovideflavor

?Herbs:Generallyherbaceouspartofplant:leavesorstems,fresh ordried

?Spices:dryseeds,fruits,bark,roots

Spicesandhistory

? TurkishcontrolofsupplyroutesforspicesfromAsialedtoPortugueseandSpanish exploraDontogettoIndia,China,SpiceIslands

? Portuguese,thenDutch,controlledSpiceIslands(Moluccas);cloves,nutmeg,mace, blackpeppernaDvetotheseislands

? Controlofspicesledtogreatwealthandpower

? FinallyFrench,BriDsh.andSpanishsmuggledplantstocolonies,breakingmonopoly, greatlyreducingcostofspices

?ChemicalsresponsiblefordisDnctflavors,smellsofspicesorperfumesare essenDaloilsorvolaDleoils

?Oilsusuallysequesteredinspecializedpocketsorglandsonplants;oils producedbyplantasaSractantsorrepellants(somecompoundsboth aSractsomevisitorsandrepelothers)

?Weusesmallamountsmixedwithfoodforpleasant,ratherthan deterrenteffect

?CompoundsmustbeoffairlylowmolecularweighttovolaDlizeandbe perceivedasodor

?Smellis80%ofwhatwecalltaste

Selection for longevity, yield, loss of odor (and thus flavor in foods like tomatoes)

Mostcommonherbsandspicesfromthreeplantfamilies

Mints(Lamiaceae):zygomorphicflowers,usuallysquarestemsandsimple,opposite leaves;defensiveoilglandsonleafsurface

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