Discovering a World of Exotic Spices

Spices have been used both for culinary purposes and for health benefits for thousands of years. Dating back to Ancient Egypt we can see records of how spices were used. It’s recorded that labourers who helped in building the Pyramids would commonly consume garlic & onion for their health benefits. From there we start to see spices used in other cultures in nearly every country in the world. Other regions where spice usage was prevalent include; China, India, through to Greece and Roma. The spices used in each region would vary as would the dish they would contribute towards depending upon the traditions and culture of the locals.

In this article, we’ll be exploring some of our available world spices and look at the significance they play in each of their respective country’s culture from around the world. One thing to note that hasn’t changed over the years is that spices are still sought after, not only for their flavour but also for their health benefits.

Depending on which country or region in the world you visit, spices can play many different and sometimes a vital role in a part of that country’s culture. For example, you may go to one country where spice is used in medicine. While in another, spices may play a pivotal role in religious ceremonies or even contribute to the production of cosmetics and perfumes. Spice is far more than an ingredient to some cultures and to some countries it can also be a very valuable export. Countries towards the Middle East such as Turkey were hubs for the export of various spices before the industry became decentralized, acting also as a bridge between Asia and the West. However, as the centuries passed we now see that trade routes have evolved to be global and now reach every corner of the earth thanks to developments in transport and commerce. This growth in the trade of spices also contributed quite significantly to globalisation. Certain prolific spices could be sought after from the opposite corner of the world, especially by nobility at that time, paying grand sums for their import.

Each country around the world tends to have its unique spice that is a symbol of that country’s culture. For example in Iran you have Advieh, the United Kingdom has mixed spice, the United States created cajun and you have the jerk spice hailing from its native Jamaica. Spice as a compound in itself tends to be very strong in flavour and so nearly all the time you’ll notice that they are used in small quantities as they are so rich in their respective flavours. In terms of where spices around the world are made from, India leads the way by a considerable margin producing and exporting more than 1.5 million metric tonnes each year. Followed by Bangladesh, China & Turkey.

The surge in popularity of spices has also led to a wave of people cultivating their spices in their back gardens. Especially in countries where the weather is favourable, which tend to be countries across the Middle-East, Asia and Africa rather than in the West and Europe. This also goes partway into explaining why countries from these regions of the world are the top producers of spices and the areas that first started to use spices both for culinary and health purposes.

With the ideal climate for a variety of spices, production in India, having a mix of both sub-tropical and drier, arid regions, as well as tropical regions with a high amount of rainfall, each respectively suitable for the production of a wide array of different spices. And with the increase in global trade, we can only foresee that the demand for spice for countries around the world is only set to grow and grow even further.

Trying different spices from around the world allows you to gain an insight into local cultures and traditions. Here at The Fine Harvest, we’ve searched across the globe to bring you the very best and a great selection of world spices – Our Middle-Eastern inspired collection of spices includes selected spices from both from the Middle-East as well as from the continent of Africa. Each of the spices in this collection is gluten-free, free of GMOs and are also perfect for vegans. It can almost make for the perfect gift if you have a friend or family member who loves exploring and experimenting with world cuisine. We also offer a range of other condiments and spices, so why not head over and have a look?