Cooking Basics ~ Stock Your Kitchen Cabinet with Exotic Spices

On September 20, 1519, Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1489-1521), set sail from Spain on a mission to find a western route to the Spice Islands. He reached the cost of South America and then navigated the strait linking the Atlantic and the Pacific which now bears his name, the Strait of Magellan. He crossed the Pacific to the Philippines in1521, where he was killed in a battle with the natives. Juan Sebastian del Cano (c. 1460-1526), a Spanish navigator, stepped into the shoes of Commander after Magellan’s death,and returned to Spain in 1522. Three of the five ships Magellan led on expedition did return to Europe. But what became of the Spice Islands?

The year is 1945. Indonesia is proclaimed a republic. The islands formerly known as the Spice Islands are known today as the Moluccan Islands. No doubt discovering these islands was quite an adventure for the explorers, but it is very easy to go on an exotic spice adventure and never leave your kitchen.

Typical Spice Market

Want to know how to follow these spice trails?

You can find:

– Allspice from Jamaica; an essential ingredient in Caribbean cuisine.

– Sweet and aromatic Turkish spices like Anise Seed.

– Organic Mace and Cinnamon sticks from Indonesia.

– Cloves originating from Madagascar.

– Rosemary originating from Spain.

– Herbs such as Dill Weed and Cilantro from Israel.

– Cardamon from Guatemala.

– Nutmeg from the East Indies. (Whole Nutmeg)

– Juniper Berries from Yugoslavia.

– Herbs and spices from India like Fennel, Ginger and Turmeric.

– Tellicherry peppercorns, the fruits of the Brazilian pepper tree.

– Commonly used herbs from France ~ Lavender, Tarragon, and Thyme.

– Brown and Yellow Mustard Seed from Canada.

– Garlic and Basil grown in California, USA.

– Rubbed Sage, an Albanian herb.

– Savory, a dried herb used Central European kitchens.

– Oregano from Greece.

– Caraway Seeds from Holland.

– Hungarian Paprika

– Egyptian Marjoram.

Related Links of Interest

♦ 10 Essential International Spices For Any Kitchen | One Green Planet

♦ Top 12 Must-Have Herbs To Grow In Your Kitchen Garden | Natural Living Ideas

♦ 5 Best Spices Burn Fat | Eat This

♦ 8 of the World’s Healthiest Spices | Eating Well

♦ Herbs and Spices for Your Desserts | 100 Cafe Street

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Do you have a particular herb and/or spice that goes into almost every dish you cook?

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