Learning All About Spices

WHAT ARE SPICES?

Spices are seeds, fruits, roots, barks, and other plant substances most utilized when it comes to flavoring and coloring the food we eat. However, they can also be used in a variety of ways such as in medicine, religious rituals, cosmetics, and even perfumes. 75% of the global spice production comes from India (certainly demonstrated through the flavors of their food and cuisine).

SELECTION OF VIDEOS TO LEARN MORE ON SPICES
	THE GEOGRAPHY OF SPICES AND HERBS Spices are one of the best part of eating. But just like fruits, every spice has a different story to be told. Today we're diving into the geography behind this miracle of nature and human ingenuity. This video will provide you with an engaging look over the "short" history of spices.
	WHY DO WE USE SPICES? Coming from PBS, people who live near the equator use more spices per recipe than people who live far from the equator. But that isn't for the reason you think. Spices and other plant ingredients have special powers that make them a truly magical superfood. Watch this informative video so you can learn why we use spices today!
	WHAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE SPICE IN THE WORLD Did you know saffron is the most expensive spice in all the world. It's so rare it can almost be used as currency. Watch this video from Absolute History to uncover its story. Derived from the flower Crocus sativus, its threads are plucked, collected, and dried for use as a seasoning and coloring food agent. It's been traded/used for thousands of years and at $5,000 per kg or higher, it certainly comes at a steep price.

RECOMMENDED READING MATERIALS @ YOUR LIBRARY
	THE YUMMY ALPHABET BOOK: HERBS, SPICES, AND OTHER... by: Jerry Pallotta Call Number: eBook on Hoopla
	THE MAGIC OF SPICE BLENDS: A GUIDE TO THE ART, SCIENCE, AND LORE OF COMBINING FLAVORS by: Aliza Green Call Number: 641.657 GRE This book reveals the secrets of creating and cooking with world's classic spice blends from seven regions: Africa, the Far East, Europe, India, the Middle East, North America and the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America. Chef Aliza Green guides you through the principles of choosing, working with, and blending spices. Join the fun of creating personalized spice and herb blends and knowing just what goes into them - no ancient, bitter, musty dust here! Find resources on where to purchase great quality herbs and spices, even organic, non-irradiated. You can even grow your own and use them to make those wonderful spice blends.
	WORLD SPICE AT HOME: NEW FLAVORS FOR 75 FAVORITE DISHES by: Amanda Bevill & Julie Kramis Call Number: 641.63 BEV This book brings the world's exotic spices to your home kitchen to breathe new life into favorite, familiar, and traditional dishes with wonderful new flavors. Included are recipes to assemble unique spice blends that add wonderful dimension to roasted vegetables, simple grilled steaks, and even apple pie.
	THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS, SPICES, AND FLAVORINGS by: Elisabeth Lambert Ortiz Call Number: 641.3 ENC An illustrated sourcebook to these all-important cooking ingredients includes information on more than 200 herbs, spices, essences, edible flowers and leaves, aromatics, vinegars, oils, teas, and coffees.
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