The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-10-08
The Use of Spices.

Spices make up the aesthetics Of eating;
they are the finest and most exquisite pro
ducts of Nature, for they contain the CON
densed aroma of essential oils, produced
by the intense rays of the sun. Almost all
spices grow on islands, that is the East
India Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, the
Bandu Islands, the Malincas, Sumatra,
Java, Ceylon, Japan aud the West India
Islands; the coasts of tropical countries are
also productive of spices.
Spices certainly have peculiar effect
upon the human system, promote flow of
saliva of the gastric system. If taken
wisely and in moderation, they juice, aud
having exerted pleasant action upon the
nerves of the tongue and palate, they COM
municate certain warmth to the blood,
and stimulate the system very beDe6cially.
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 are more useful than the
pepper, mostly growing 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 pep
per. Pepper is most useful condiment,
if used sparingly, and enhances the natural
aroma of many foods. 1t is preventive
of indigestion, stimulating the digestive
organs.
Allspice is the mild West India or ia
maica 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
flavor that it suits we'll with farinaeeous
substances.
Mace is the cuticle of nutmeg, and with
some people great favorite still. 1t suits
well for delicate stews.
The Glove is the flower bud of a tree and
becomes of a dark hue, when it has been
dried in the sun.
Mustard is a seed of a plant which
grows in temperate and tropical climates.
Its pungeney is so great that when ground
fine it has to be mixed with starch to mod
crate it. 1t is very useful and healthy
condiment.
Vanilla, the fruit of the vanilla plant,
indigenous to Mexico, Brazil, Peru, etc.,
and dincultivated in the West Indies Gath
cred before ripe, dried in the shade, and
steeped in the oil of Cashew mutt, this
spice is the most aromatic of all spices,
and of exquisite favor as an essence.
OF the barks, cinnamon is esteemed
most; it is a very valuable assistant to d.
gestion and can be safely given to children
now and then. The young shoots of the
trees are used for the pipes, and when
dried are ground into powder.
Of roots aud bulbs, ginger is the most
useful, either as preserve or used whole
in dried state, or also ground into pow
der. Both with ginger and cinnamon bet
ter results are obtained by blending vari-
Gus grades than by putting it up perfectly
pure.
Curry powder is the combination Of
many spices, and has come to US from the
East. Unfortunately our clumsy ways
often spoil the mixtures by not preserving
that delicacy of combination which alone
can produce the true favor it ought tc
possess. Curry is far more useful in food
economy than we understand as yet, and
| deserves our best attention.