II. Early Spice History (Egypt and the Crusades)III. Spice Obsession TheoriesIV. Spice Obsession – Spotlight PepperEarly Spice History- Heading Toward ObsessionRule of the Pharaohs (ca. 3150-31 BC)Egyptians used a lot of spices- for cooking and for their mummiesCumin, anise, marjoram, cassia, myrrh, frankincense, etc.Egyptian aristocrats burned cinnamon in their homes to hide the stench from the crowds outside.Egyptians were trading with people from India (for spices, fibers, etc..) at least as early as 1500 BCEThe Arabs created a monopoly on the spice trade moving toward Europe (around 950 AD)Spice ObsessionThe Arabs kept Europeans in the dark about the source of spices brought from IndiaSecrets and Myths:PepperCinnamonThe Crusades influenced the demand for spice in Europe.Crusaders developed a taste for spices (which increased spice demand in Europe)Crusaders brought back new and exotic spices when they returned from battle (which increased spice demand in Europe)Spices initially only attainable by ruling classEmblems of powerThe hotter it was, the more powerPresented as gifts of stateBequeathed as heirloomsUsed as currency; traded for goodsSpice obsession- PepperMedieval Ruling ClassesHigher the rank of household, the greater its use of spicesA series of banquets on the 1476 marriage of Duke George “the Rick” of Bavaria to Princess Jadwiga of Poland required:“386 pounds of pepper, 286 of ginger, 207 of saffron, 205 of cinnamon, 105 of cloves, and a mere 85 pounds of nutmeg"Daily allotments of 2 pounds of pepper and 4 pounds of cinnamonPepper CounterfeitingPepper was worth its weight in goldUsed as currencyPepper was one of the first spices to be plagued by counterfeitingDried juniper berriesAdder to pepper to “extend” the supply – they very closely resembled dried pepper berriesGrains of paradiseSpice Obsession Theories4 Theories to Explain Spice Indulgence:Theory 1: Using spice as a Food PreservativePepper (along with salt) was the main means of meat preservationOther spices made spoiled meat edible againNot much evidence to support this.Salt worked as a fine preservation on its ownLocal spices (and herbs) were plentifulThose that could afford meat could afford FRESH meatTheory 2: Spices used as medicineStimulate appetite/aid digestionPhilter (Philtres)Against plagueAphrodisiacs and love potionsCures for impotenceTheory 3: The “Paradise” theoryMedieval palate was dull/numb before spicesThe state of the spices WAS paradise“Emissaries from a fabled world”Spices came from paradiseSome Theological BeliefsGarden of Eden lay in AsiaGarden – source of spices?Theory 4: Trade Route InflationSpices were moved from china and India to EuropeGreat Silk RoadThe overland trade route stretched over 7,000 miles from Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey), Antioch and Tyre to ChinaMiddle men = higher $$$$The End of the ObsessionSpice prices declined in the 17th centuryWhy? A case of Botanical ignorance??Did not realize until the late 18th century that trees and plants could be grown successfully in places other than where they were nativeMarkets were saturatedMore moderate use of spicesNew group of flavorings or “luxury foods” appearedChili’s, coffee, tea, sugar, and chocolateAGRI 116 1nd Edition Lecture 10 Outline of Last Lecture I. Bananas- By the numbersII. Banana BiologyIII. Banana Historya. Spreadb. Modern erac. DiseasesOutline of Current Lecture II. Early Spice History (Egypt and the Crusades)III. Spice Obsession TheoriesIV. Spice Obsession – Spotlight PepperCurrent Lecture Early Spice History- Heading Toward Obsession Rule of the Pharaohs (ca. 3150-31 BC)- Egyptians used a lot of spices- for cooking and for their mummieso Cumin, anise, marjoram, cassia, myrrh, frankincense, etc.- Egyptian aristocrats burned cinnamon in their homes to hide the stench from the crowds outside.- Egyptians were trading with people from India (for spices, fibers, etc..) at least as early as 1500 BCE The Arabs created a monopoly on the spice trade moving toward Europe (around 950 AD)These 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. Spice Obsession The Arabs kept Europeans in the dark about the source of spices brought from IndiaSecrets and Myths:- Pepper- Cinnamon The Crusades influenced the demand for spice in Europe.- Crusaders developed a taste for spices (which increased spice demand in Europe)- Crusaders brought back new and exotic spices when they returned from battle (which increased spice demand in Europe)Spices initially only attainable by ruling class- Emblems of powero The hotter it was, the more power - Presented as gifts of state- Bequeathed as heirlooms- Used as currency; traded for goods Spice obsession- Pepper Medieval Ruling Classes- Higher the rank of household, the greater its use of spicesA series of banquets on the 1476 marriage of Duke George “the Rick” of Bavaria to Princess Jadwiga of Poland required:- “386 pounds of pepper, 286 of ginger, 207 of saffron, 205 of cinnamon, 105 of cloves,and a mere 85 pounds of nutmeg"The king of Scotland visited Richard the 1st of England- Daily allotments of 2 pounds of pepper and 4 pounds of cinnamonPepper CounterfeitingPepper was worth its weight in gold- Used as currency- Pepper was one of the first spices to be plagued by counterfeiting- Dried juniper berrieso Adder to pepper to “extend” the supply – they very closely resembled dried pepper berries- Grains of paradiseSpice Obsession Theories 4 Theories to Explain Spice Indulgence: Theory 1: Using spice as a Food Preservative- Pepper (along with salt) was the main means of meat preservation- Other spices made spoiled meat edible againNot much evidence to support this.- Salt worked as a fine preservation on its own- Local spices (and herbs) were plentiful- Those that could afford meat could afford FRESH meat Theory 2: Spices used as medicine- Stimulate appetite/aid digestion- Philter (Philtres)o Against plague- Aphrodisiacs and love potions- Cures for impotence Theory 3: The “Paradise” theory- Medieval palate was dull/numb before spiceso The state of the spices WAS paradise- “Emissaries from a fabled world”o Spices came from paradise- Some Theological Beliefso Garden of Eden lay in Asia Garden – source of