Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-06-06
The Use of Spices.

Spices make up the 10 ,thetics of eating
they are the finest and most exquisite
products of nature, for they contain tn.
condensed aroma of essential oils, pro
duced by the intense rays of the sun
Almost all spices grow on islands, that il
the East India islands, Madagascar. tn,
Maurtius, the Baudu islands, the Melin
cas-, Sumatra, Java, Ceylon, Japan anc
tho East Indian islands; the coasts o
tropical countries are also productive O
spices.
Spices have a peculiar effect upon tho
human system; if taken wisely and il
moderation, they certainly produce flow
of saliva, of the gastric juice, and having
exerted a pleasant action upon the nerves
of the tongue and palate, they communi
cate certain warmth TO the blood ant
stimulate the system beneiicially.
The peculiar source of the aroma is moi
always in the same part of the plant, bu
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
pepper, mostly grown in East India and
Ceylon, and throughout the east. When
the berry of this shrub is ground with its
dark cuticue it makes the black pepper;
when it is ground without it, it forms
white pepper. Pepper is a most useful
condIment, if used sparingly, and enhances
the natural aroma of many foods. 1t is a
preventive of indigestion, stimulating the
digestive organs.
Allspice is the mild West Inlian or
Jamaica pepper, also called pimento.
Nutmeg is the fruit of eastern trees and
shrubs, and exceedingly grateful to the
palate, in fact so exquisite ana mild n
flavor that it suits well with farinaceous
substances.
Mace is the cutcle of the nutmeg, and,
with some people, a greater favorie still.
1t suits we'll for delicate stews
The Glove is the flower bud of tree,
and becomes of a dark hue, when it has
been dried in tho sun.
Mustard is seed of plant which
grows in temperate and tropical climates.
Its pungency is SO great that when ground
fine it has to be mixed with starch to
moderate it. Mustard is a very useful
and healthy condiment
Vanilla, the fruit of the vanilla plant,
is 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 all spices,
and of exquisite flavor as an essence.
Of the barks, cinnamon is esteemed
most; it is very valuable assistance to
digestion and can safely be given to
children now and then. The young
shoots of the tree are used for the pipes,
and when dried are ground into powder.
OF roots and bulbs, ginger is the most
useful, either as preserve or used whole
in dried state, or also ground into
powder. Both with ginger and cinnamon
better results are obtained by blending
various 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 flavor it ought TO
possess. Curry is far more useful in food
economy than we understand as yet, and
deserves our best attention.-Food and
Health.