IE 116 1st Edition Lecture 11Outline of last lectureI. Banana EconomicsII. Banana Biologya. ReproductionIII. Historya. Spreadb. Modern erac. DiseasesRadioactive side noteOutline of today’s lectureI. Early Spice historya. Egyptb. Arabsc. Secrets and Mythsd. The CrusadesII. Social obsessionIII. PepperIV. 4 theories of spice indulgenceV. End of obsessionVI. Black PepperThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Today’s lectureI. Early spice history (Medieval obsession)a) Egypto Rule of the Pharaohs 3150-31 BC.o Used for cooking, ritual, and MUMMIES. “Well spiced cadavers”o Cumin, anise, marjoram, cassia, myrrh, frankincense, etc.- Why? – Burned to hide the stench from the crowds outside.- Tradeo With India for other spices and fibers as early as 1500 bc.o Moved across central Asia into current Fertile Crescent.b) Arabso Created a monopoly on the spice and silk trade moving toward Europe – 950 AD.o Trade route through China to Egypt moving up to Europe: traded spices, silk, etc.o Kept the Europeans in the dark about the source of spice brought from India.c) Secrets and myths- Pepper – only grew under waterfalls protected by dragons. - Cinnamon – came from nests of huge carnivorous birds on the highest cliffs. The only way to get it was to butcher a mule and risk life to sneak in and grab cinnamon quill.- Such secrets increased value, thus increased prices as well.d) Crusaders – come down through Europe and reached spice trade routea. They influenced the spice demand in Europe by: a.i. Developing a taste for the spices and gave others a need for thema.ii. Brought back exotic and new spices which was extremely flavorful and exciting, thus desirable.II. Social obsessiona. Social ranking - Spices were only attainable by the ruling class: Seen as emblems of power.b. Presented as gifts of state.c. Bequeathed as heirloomsd. Used as currencyKing George got daily allotments of 2 lbs of pepper and 4 lbs of cinnamon.For a marriage: 386 lbs of pepper, 268 of cinnamon, etc.III. Pepper - Worth its weight in gold- Used as currency- The first spice to be plagued by counterfeitingIV. 4 theories of spice indulgencea. Food preservative• Pepper (and salt) mainly used as meat preservative• Other spices made spoiled meat edible againo Not a lot of evidence for support. Those that could buy spices, could buy fresh meat.o Local spices and herbs were plentifulo Salt was a fine preservative on its own.b. Medicine• Appetite stimulators• Philters (against plague) = prescriptions from local healers• Aphrodisiacs• Love potions• Cures for impotence (medieval little blue pill)o Again, not a lot of evidencec. The “Paradise” theory• Not a lot of variety to the diet in certain areas, very bland and dull. Until spices• They were a link to paradise – somewhere in the east• Everyone was dying of the plague, and people would try anything to heal themselves.• The Garden of Eden = source of spices? Always religious somewhered. Trade route inflation• Spices were moved from China and India to Europe• The GREAT SILK ROAD = stretched over 7,000 miles.• Price went up the farther the spices made it to the Fertile Crescent. o Most likely, or most believable.V. End of the obsession• Spice prices declined in the 17th century• WHY?!?!?!• Least likely: a case of botanical ignoranceo Did not realize until 18th century that trees and plants could be grown elsewhere.• Farily likely: Market became saturated• Likely: Moderate use of spices, tired of eating 2 lbs of cinnamon• New spices: chili, tea, etc.Black Pepper- Many types of pepper• World’s most important spiceo 223,000 metric tons in 2010 of global pepper production• Now a nickel for a kiloa. Biology – Piper Nigrum• A woody, perennial, tropical climbing vine.o Perennial: lasts 3 seasonso Annual: Completes life cycle in a year• Grows best in south India. “Malabar coast”• Vine is shiny, vibrant green, smells peppery, heart flowers.• Small little berries grow and change colors through life cycle.• Clusters mature at different times, harvested over several months.b. Heat VS Aroma• Heat: Found within inner core of seed and released when seed is • Aroma: Comes from essential oils, located in the pericarp (Outer shell), Aroma is released when pepper is cracked or groundGreen, White and Black peppercorns are: All harvested from the same species of pepper vine, all depends on how long you let them mature.Green are unripe that are harvested as soon as they reach a mature size. To stop them from blackening, they are immersed in boiling water or in broth.Black pepper are berries that are picked when fully grown, still green, but not boiled, thus enzymes and drying turn it black. Separated by stepping.White is produced by removing skin from red berries. Red are even riper than green berries. But into burlap sacks, put through cool water, loosens outer shell, separate it, white is left. HOTTEST of the bunch. Least aroma and only hot inner