Spices are often the overlooked essentials that define our greatest eating experiences. So the latin imperialists had plenty of opportunity to turn spices, particularly cloves, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon and ginger, into much sought after status symbols. These two spices have a long and interesting history traveling from indonesia to englandand because of their high value, wars were fought to control trade. Mace in history there are several mentions of nutmeg and mace throughout history. Perhaps a more accurate title for this book would be tough nuts. An essential spice for any kitchen, regal ground mace adds a rich, zesty flavor to baked goods, desserts, sauces, and more. The most fundamentally important spice is salta mineral. Jan 10, 2008 heres a little history about nutmeg and the other spice that the tree produces, mace. The history of mace is closely tied to the history of nutmeg for obvious reasons, though the two items have been treated seperately. It is considered that mace originated from banda, the biggest of the molucca spice islands in indonesia. Mace is the aril the bright red, lacy covering of the nutmeg seed shell. Mace is a spice that is part of the nutmeg fruit mace is the lacy coating that is found on a nutmeg seed. Baked goods, meat, stews mace is made from the lacy, red outer coating that covers the shell around the nutmeg kernel.
How spices shaped the culinary world, how people used them in ancient times, how the pepper, cloves and cinnamon went from being an oriental spice to a basic, everyday commodity. Impressive and reassuring is his combination of sympathetic understanding and toughminded rationalism. Whole blades of mace are useful for making milk puddings, white sauces and savoury custards, as the blades can be strained out once its flavour has been infused in slow cooking, leaving a specklefree end product. The history of a temptation pdf suggestions consumers havent however left the writeup on the overall game, or otherwise read it nevertheless. Interesting and engaging history of the conflicts and personalities of the spice trade and occasionally some of the trade itself, this book focused mainly on some of the more interesting people and events often bloody battles and massacres associated with trade in the spices from the days of magellan all the way through the 19th century the spices in this case for most of the book being the. The portuguese restricted production of spice such as nutmeg and cloves to. Mace as a self defense weapon is more commonly known as tear gas, yet one of the most popular brands of pepper spray on the market carries this name.
French translation of mace the official collins englishfrench dictionary online. Spices and the spice tradespices are derived from mineral and plant origins. The current mace of the house of representatives was presented by a delegation of the house of commons in 1951 after king george vi had directed that a mace, a symbol of the royal authority, should be presented, on behalf of the commons house of the parliament of great britain and northern ireland, to the house of representatives of the parliament of the commonwealth of australia to mark the. Music, an american record label, founded in 1993 in illinois. In ground form, it can turn dishes a lovely mustard yellow and add delicate sweetspicy flavors. A brilliant, original history of the spice tradeand the appetites that fue. It is used to flavour bakery, meat, and fish dishes. It is readily available in many cooking supply stores in. Bloody wars have been fought to control nutmeg due to its value.
However, spice mace has characteristically composed higher concentration of certain essential oils and features refined, yet more intense aroma than. From 1519 to 1522, spain discovered a water route to the spice islands the moluccas, near indonesia where cloves, nutmeg, mace, and pepper were produced. Mace is possibly safe when taken by mouth and used appropriately. Keay as always is irrerevent, his gentle and humourous mocking of the more fantastic elements of the accounts of for example pliny, herodotus, marco polo,etc are enlightening and amusing, always a pleasant combination. The nutmeg is the ovalshaped pit, which is the fruit, and mace is the bright red webbing that surrounds the shell of the pit. In 1444, john hopton, a small gentleman of suffolk, sent his steward to norwich to buy supplies for the winter. Later, emperor henry vi had the streets of rome fumigated with nutmegs before his coronation. The only other seasoning in the soup is bay leaves. Mace doesnt get much love anymore, which is a big shame. A world history by mark kurlansky, an edible history of humanity by tom standage, consider the fork.
A brilliant, original history of the spice trade, and the appetites that fueled it. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Nutmeg, tropical evergreen tree family myristicaceae and the spice made from its seeds. Nutmeg and mace are the two major primary products of myristica fragrans and are commercially considered as spices. There is evidence that both nutmeg and mace were discovered as early as the 1st century a. Nutmeg and its sister spice, mace, both come from the nutmeg tree, a tropical evergreen native to islands in the indian ocean. Clove, mace and especially nutmeg are finicky plants. A tasty compendium of the worlds favorite flavors, the book of spice.
Mace definition and meaning collins english dictionary. History and role of the mace parliament of australia. The flavor is similar to that of nutmeg, with a hint of pepper and a more subtle note which can be overwhelmed by heavyhanded cooks. French translation of mace collins englishfrench dictionary. The history of a temptation and millions of other books are available for. Nutmeg kernel and mace arils indeed are two separate spice products of same nutmeg fruit. Mace contains the chemical myristicin which has been linked to hallucinations and other mental side effects. There are actually accounts of roman author pliny mentioning two flavors of mace around first century ad. Browse all mace recipes about mace this spice tastes and smells like a pungent version of nutmeg, and for a very good reason. Pepper, as well as other spices and herbs, was commonly used as a monetary source.
Over 100,000 french translations of english words and phrases. Those who controlled the spice trade got rich, as prices were very high. The resulting spice is called blade mace, or singularly, a blade of mace. Mace is a spice, usually in the form of a powder, made from the shell of nutmegs. The spice trade spices from india, e asia, and the east indies were in demand from ancient times. The history of a temptation up to now regarding the book weve got spice. I found the story of the spice trade to be quite interesting and that i suppose was a result. Oct 01, 2016 many of us probably associate mace with the defensive pepper spray, but the real mace is actually a pungent spice related to nutmeg. The history of nutmeg and mace goes back many years. Pepper spray, on the other hand, is not typically used for cooking. Mace is the brand name of an early type of aerosol selfdefense spray invented by alan lee litman in 1960s. Spices and herbs consist of rhizomes, bulbs, barks, flower buds, stigmas, fruits, seeds, and leaves. They are commonly divided into the categories of spices, spice seeds, and herbs.
It is difficult to exaggerate the value and influence of the spice trade to western europe in the early seventeenth century. Mace has a slightly warm taste and a fragrance similar to that of nutmeg. The first commercial product of its type, litmans design packaged phenacyl chloride cn tear gas dissolved in hydrocarbon solvents into a small aerosol spray can, usable in many environment and strong enough to act as a credible deterrent and incapacitant when sprayed in the face. The spice nutmeg has a distinctive pungent fragrance and a warm slightly sweet taste. Although the book is easy to read and understand, it also challenged me as i learned new things and prompted me to further research some subject matter that. Nov 04, 2014 the forgotten history of mace, designed by a 29yearold and reinvented as a police weapon when riots shook america, mace became a tool of crowd control instead of private protection. Mace is the brand name of an early type of aerosol selfdefense spray invented by alan lee litman in the 1960s. The history of a temptation is a history of the spice trade told not in the conventional narrative of politics and economics, nor of conquest and colonization, but through the intimate human impulses that inspired and drove it. Here is an exploration of the centuriesold desire for spice in food, in medicine, in magic, in religion, and. The east india companies and the anglodutch rivalry for control of the spice trade. It is stated that emperor henry vi smoked the streets of rome along with mace before his coronation. This unique spice is derived from the dried, ground outer covering of the nutmeg seed which grows on the tropical evergreen myristica fragans. Well, two commodities, technically, since mace is made from the. These provide so many of the flavours and aromas that bring christmas to our minds and mouths think of mulled wine, egg nog and figgy pudding.
Mace is used to flavor all manners of foods, sweet. The history of a temptation free pdf, djvu, doc, txt. Use as a nutmeg substitution or addition to desserts, stews and more. Golden brown in color, this rich, aromatic spice is warming to taste. Since its first documentation in the 7th century bc, the long and interesting history of saffron spice traces back over 4000 years and traverses many civilizations, countries, and cultures. The fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace. Charles corns the scents of eden seeks to document the history of the spice trade, focusing on the control of a few key islands in the east indies where the historically most valuable spices notably cloves and nutmeg originated. Dec 19, 2016 following on from last months piece on cinnamon, cassia bark and clove, decembers spice series covers the remaining festive spices of nutmeg, mace and allspice. Ceremonial mace, an ornamented mace used in civic ceremonies. Though mace comes from the same tree as nutmeg, it features. It is most commonly sold ground, though you may find whole pieces called blades.
Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus myristica. The history of a temptation by jack turner in djvu, doc, txt download e book. This is an enjoyable book to read, easy to get into and hard to put down. Mace is a substance that causes tears and sickness, and that is used in sprays as a defence against rioters or attackers. Though commonly used as interchangeable terms, mace and pepper spray are not exactly the same thing. The mace is removed, dried and then ground into a coarse powder that turns a reddish color. The nutmeg can either be dried and left whole and packaged for grating, or dried and grated fresh. A german price table of 93 lists a pound of nutmeg as worth 7 fat oxen. However, spice mace has characteristically composed higher concentration of certain essential oils and features refined, yet more intense aroma than nutmeg. Myristica fragrans fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg is a darkleaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit. Mace definition is an aromatic spice consisting of the dried external fibrous covering of a nutmeg. It was in search of the fabled spice islands and their cloves that magellan charted the first circumnavigation of the globe. Joe universe mace, a character in the 1995 film strange days.
In the golden age of the spice trade, mace strode across the skin of the world just like its cousin nutmeg. The dark age, a 1997 fighting game for arcades and the nintendo 64. Spice trading and raiding john keay has written a brilliant, amusing and readable account of the spice trade from pre history to the 1800s. List of books and articles about spice trade online. A spice timeline table of spices allspice pimento anise black pepper cardamom cassia chile pepper chocolate cinnamon clove coriander cilantro cumin dill fennel fenugreek frankincense and myrrh galangal garlic ginger horseradish licorice mustard nutmeg and mace onion saffron sugar sumac tamarind turmeric vanilla contacts and acknowledgments. The black cumin plant is found in southwestern asia and parts of the mediterranean and africa, where it has a long history of use in diverse. The history of a temptation is a sumptuous edition of a new class of popular. After the membrane is removed and dried it becomes a yelloworange color.
But it seems the modern age only has room for one magical sweet spice that seems to go with everything, and mace lost. Emperor henry vi had the streets of rome fumigated with nutmegs before his coronation. Spice is a well researched and well written book on the history of how spice affected the world through the ages covering fact, myth, legend, religion, politics, trade, discovery, eating habits and more. Many centuries ago, the precious nutmeg was often carried in fancy containers of silver or wood, having a little grater attached, so the spice could always be on hand. The mace is removed from the shell and its broken parts are known as blades.
From anise to zedoary combines history with insights into art, religion, medicine, science, and is richly seasoned with anecdotes and recipes. A brilliant, original history of the spice tradeand the appetites that fueled it. But a lot of blood has been shed over this little brown seed. In particular, the most valuable, exotic eastern spices pepper from india, mace, nutmeg and cloves unique to the indonesian molucca islands, cinnamon from sri. It tends to be red when raw and is usually dried before use, turning a dark reddishorange. Botanically known as myristica fragrans, the nutmeg tree originates in banda, the largest of the molucca spice. Mace is the outer membrane of the nutmeg seed and has a milder flavour than nutmeg, making it ideal to use in shellfish and seafood. Mace is the brand name of an early type of aerosol selfdefense spray invented by allan lee litman in 1965. Mace and nutmeg both come from the nutmeg tree, which is most commonly grown on the banda islands in the moluccas near indonesia dubbed the spice islands. An aromatic golden brown spice obtained from the dried aril netlike sheath of the nutmeg seed, mace brings fragrant, nutmeglike aromas and warm taste to any dish. An authoritative new edition in two volumes, handbook of herbs and spices provides a comprehensive guide to the properties. Gada mace, the blunt mace or club from india kaumodaki, the gada mace of the hindu god vishnu.
Epic in scope, marvelously detailed, laced with drama, the spice route spans three millennia and circles the world to chronicle the history of the spice trade. Our product has been dried and finely ground and it has a warm, sweet and spicy flavour with a reddish orange colour. Mace, spice consisting of the dried aril, or lacy covering, of the nutmeg fruit of myristica fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree. Its sold ground and, less frequently, whole in which case its called a blade. The history of a temptation kindle edition by turner, jack. Mace spice is a dried, outer aril, enveloping firmly around the nutmeg kernel. At the center of each fruit is a hard seed similar to a peach pit, with a red lacy covering. Black cumin, nigella sativa, also called black seed, black caraway, roman coriander, kalonji, or fennel flower, annual plant of the ranunculus family ranunculaceae, grown for its pungent seeds, which are used as a spice and in herbal medicine. Oct 16, 2008 i need a small amount of ground mace to flavor the split pea soup that i plan to make but i dont have it and cant get it easily. Its flavour is similar to nutmeg but more delicate. I cant say i came away with a clear overview of the global spice trade, but i did gain a sprinkling of loosely.
The first commercial product of its type, litmans design packaged phenacyl chloride cn tear gas dissolved in hydrocarbon solvents into a small aerosol spray can, usable in almost any environment and strong enough when sprayed in the face to act as a credible deterrent and incapacitant. In this global history of spices, fred czarra tracks the path of these fundamental ingredients from the trade routes of the ancient world to the mccormicks brands contemporary domination of the global spice. Mace is possibly unsafe when taken in doses larger than amounts found in foods. Spice and herb, parts of various plants cultivated for their aromatic, pungent, or otherwise desirable substances. The history of a temptation by jack turner goodreads. James mace has 25 books on goodreads with 5602 ratings. Spice is a well researched and well written book of how spice affected the world through the ages covering fact, myth, legend, religion, politics, trade discovery, eating habits and more. Nutmeg has been one of the saddest stories of history, explains culinary historian.
My penzeys sign in sign out account details catalogs. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Apr 28, 2020 mace is a spice made from the waxy red covering that surrounds nutmeg seeds. Spice is an erudite and engaging account of how foodstuffs can change the flow of history. Mace bludgeon, a weapon with a heavy head on a solid shaft used to bludgeon opponents flail weapon, a spiked weapon on a chain, sometimes called a chain mace or mace andchain.
Vasco da gama sailed the dangerous waters around africa to india on a quest for christiansand spices. The history of a temptation by jack turner 409pp, harpercollins. Mace is the spice made from the reddish seed covering of the nutmeg seed. It is readily available in many cooking supply stores in both whole and ground form. It is readily available in many cooking supply stores in both whole and ground form, and it has a wide range of uses from desserts to. Uses, side effects, interactions, dosage, and warning. Mace is a spice made from the waxy red covering that surrounds nutmeg seeds.