The History and Natural History of Spices

The 5,000-Year Search for Flavour

Ian Anderson

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Hardback

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English

HISTORY PRESS
01 October 2023

History; Social & cultural history; Cultural studies; International trade; Food manufacturing & related industries; Cooking with herbs & spices

An illustrated study into the dramatic search for spices through history, and how the pursuit of rare flavours changed and opened up our world.

Spices have been highly valued since at least the Bronze Age, with the so-called Spice Trade, spanning Asia to the Mediterranean, developing from the late centuries BC. By the first century AD, Roman society spent vast sums fuelling their demand for spices, importing black pepper from India and other exotics from further afield. Importing spices from the east was a daunting and dangerous task, whether by ship across the Indian Ocean, a perilous round journey of many months, or by caravan overland along the myriad routings of the Silk Road, or other trade routes. The search for spices in the 15th and 16th centuries led to Columbus' discovery of America (and the discovery of chilli in Cuba and Hispaniola); Vasco da Gama's proving of the route to India around the coast of Africa; and Magellan's discovery of the western route to the Spice Islands. This comprehensive book both reviews spices and their histories of uses, botanical descriptions and classifications, as well as delving into the trade routes and importance of spice through history in driving global events.

AUTHOR: Ian Anderson is professional geologist with a long-standing interest in history and archaeology, who has lived and travelled extensively in SE Asia for over 25 years. He has previously published papers in geology and an article on travel by light aircraft in Mexico, and lives immersed in a 'foodie' environment as his wife is a cordon bleu chef. He lives in Suffolk.

32 colour, 15 b/w illustrations

By: Ian Anderson
Imprint: HISTORY PRESS
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781803991566
ISBN 10: 1803991569
Pages: 328
Publication Date: 01 October 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Ian Anderson is professional geologist with a long-standing interest in history and archaeology, who has lived and travelled extensively in SE Asia for over 25 years. He has previously published papers in geology and an article on travel by light aircraft in Mexico, and lives immersed in a ‘foodie’ environment as his wife is a cordon bleu chef. He lives in Suffolk.

Reviews for The History and Natural History of Spices: The 5,000-Year Search for Flavour

‘A tale of kings and conquests and high-sea adventures … A must-read for those interested in the history of spices.’ SHRABANI BASU, author of Victoria and Abdul and Curry: The Biography of the Nation's Favourite Dish