Smyrna times., 1881-06-22
The Use Of : Spices.

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Spices make up the aesthetics of eating
they are the finest and most exquisite pro-
ducts of Nature, for they contain the con
'dehsed' aroma of essential oils produced
by the intense rays of the sun. Also all
spices grow on islands, that is the East
India Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, the
Bandu Islands, the Malincas, Sumatra,
Java. Ceylon, Japan, and the West Intlia
Islands; the coasts of tropical countries
are also productive Of spices.
Spices certainly have peculiar effect
upon the human system, promote Il flow
of saliva of the gastric system If taken
wisely and in admiration, they juice, and
having exerted a pleasant action upon the
nerves of the tongue and palate, they COM
municate Il certain warmth to the blood,
and stimulate the system very beneficially
| The peculiar source of the aroma is not
always in the same part of the plant, but
may be contained in the fruit, the leaves,
the bark or the root, according to where
! the treasure has been deposited.
Of fruits, none is more useful than the
pepper, mostly grown in East India and
CeylOn, and through the east. When the
berry of this shrub is ground with its dark
cuticle it makes the black pepper; when
it is ground without it, it forms white
pepper. Pepper is a most useful coldi-
ment, if used sparingly, and enhances the
natural aroma of many foods. 1t is pre-
vemtive of indigestion, stimulating the
digestive organs.
Allspice is the mild West Indian or
Jamaica pepper, also called pimento.
! Nutmeg is the fruit of the Eastern trees
and shrubs, and exceedingly grateful to
! the palate, in fact so exquisite and mild a
flavor that it suits well with tarinaceous
| substances.
| Mace is the cnticl,. OF nutmeg, and " it'll
some people great fiivorite still. 1t suits
well for delicate stews.
The Glove isthe flower, bud OF tree
and becomes of a dark hue, when it has
been dried in the sun.
Mustard is a seed of plant which grows
i'll temperate and tropical climates. Its
| pungency is So great that when ground
! fine it has To bc mixed with starch to
moderate it. 1t Is very useful and
healthy condiment
Vanilla, the fruit of the vanilla plant
indigenous TO Mexico, Brazil, Peru, etc,
and cultivated in the West Indies. Gath.
cred before ripe, dried in the shade, and
stepped in the oil of the Cashew nut
This spice is the most aromatic of al
spices, and of exquisite flavor as an es
sence
Of the Barks, Cinnamon is esteemed
most; it is a very valuable assistant tC
digestion and can be safely given to chill
dren now and then. The young shoots o.
the trees are used for the pipes, and wheI
dried are ground into powder.
OF Roots and Bulbs. Ginger is the mos
useful, either as preserve or used Who'll,
in dried state, or also ground into pow
der Both With ginger and cinnamon
better results are obtained by blending
various grades than by putting it up per
fectly pure.
Curry powder is the combination o
many spices, and has come to us from tn,
East. Unfortunately our clumsy way'
often spoil the mixtures by not preserving
that delicacy of combination which alon,
can produce the true flavor it ought t.
possess. Curry is far more useful il
food economy than we understand a.
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Food and Health