4000 years of saffron cultivation worldwide From the Latin safranum, zarparan in Persia or Sahafaran in Hebrew, traces of crocus sativus - saffron - can be found on tablets in Iraq dating back to 2000 BC. Present on some Santorini frescoes, it was discovered 2000 years ago in the Roman Empire. [...]
From the 11th to the 13th century, a balance of strongholds The great Italian republics played an important role in the spice trade. Venice, Genoa, Amalfi, Pisa and even Florence became rivals, given the importance of the trade. France and the people of Marseilles controlled the west coasts of Africa and the Mediterranean.
August 26 is raksha bandhan in India, the festival of brotherhood between brothers and sisters, or between friends as brother and sister. A small cord that the sister ties to her brother's wrist, asking for his protection, represents this bond. This Rakhi day is special in India, and even more so [...].
A cross between bread and cake, breadcakes are quick to make and ideal for vegetarians, as they can be made without gluten or lactose. So 100% vegan, for a super-healthy, energizing and balanced product. Breadcake for athletes Votes: 3 Rating: 3.33 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe In the morning, before you go out for a [...]
It's summer, and we're avoiding turning on the oven in favor of salads, barbecues and chilled desserts. So here's a simple yet refreshing recipe for this hot summer season. Made with fresh fruit and Indian spices infused in brown cane sugar syrup, this fruit salad is a delight. In [...]
Whether it's from Algeria, Tunisia or Morocco, couscous is all about sharing and celebrating with family and friends. Berbers celebrate the New Year with couscous, and colorful eggs are sprinkled throughout the dish. What are the origins of couscous in France? If it's one of France's top 10 favorite dishes, it's the [...]
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Eggplant caviar and its long series of recipes, each one different from the next. What haven't I read? Incorporated with mayonnaise for some, mixed with garlic and parsley for others, with cumin and olive oil, the recipes vary according to mood and regional tradition... What is [...]?
I've been drinking this infusion for years, as it's an excellent revitalizer after intense or long sports training sessions. Marathon runners will appreciate it for its taste, of course, but also for its real anti-inflammatory and antioxidant virtues. Sprinters and half-distance runners will find it beneficial for their recovery after certain split sessions. [...]
It's summer, it's hot, so it's not surprising to see Senegalese or Egyptians drinking hibiscus flower juice all day long. For thousands of years, the Egyptians' Karkadé (carcadet) has helped to lower body temperature, which is particularly useful when the midsummer temperature flirts with [...].
Of Arabic origin, the word "coffee" comes from "qawha". Coffee was introduced to Egypt in the 15th century (during the Mamlûk period) from southern Egypt (Nubia) via Yemen and Arabia. The Mamlûks had complete control over the trade, which was initially limited to the upper social classes. As you may have read in [...]
A big thank you to the Kissmychef team for their spontaneous article on Place des Epices. A gastronomic news magazine that smells of passion! https://kissmychef.com
5th to 11th centuries: the world's spice trade in turmoil In 410 AD, the Visigoths sacked Rome. The ransom amounted to several thousand pounds of pepper. This was followed by a period when the world spice trade came to a halt, notably following the invasion of North Africa [...].
It's quite clear that we're not all in the same boat when it comes to buying tomatoes as summer approaches. Of course, we'll be avoiding imported, graded tomatoes straight from Northern Europe, after having transited by truck or plane through the Mediterranean basin, if not further afield... [...] [...].
A friend of mine asked me to make him a special organic gingerbread mix (he's from the Dijon region, so his request came as no surprise). Admittedly, it's not really the season (though?), but it still has major nutritional benefits, especially for marathon runners and trailers. Gingerbread [...]
You've all got them in your kitchen cupboard: pepper, curry, saffron, papryka, turmeric, cinnamon... But according to the French fraud control authority, there is a lot of fraud - up to 81% for saffron! Do you really know what's on your plate? For RMC, Marie Dupin unveils this Tuesday an investigation by the French fraud [...].
It's spring, and summer is fast approaching - on the 21st we'll be there. Barbecues and salads will be the order of the day for a few months, with aperitifs and fine dining among friends and family. I've prepared 3 "special barbecue" mixes, one traditional, one west-facing and one east-facing. The latter is a blend of [...]
It's decided, the barometer seems to want to stay on the up and up, so the barbecues are out. Olive wood, beech wood or charcoal for the less patient, it doesn't matter what you use as long as you've got embers. So get out your chicken legs (or sleeves only), remove the skin (except for the [...]) and [...].
Alexander's conquest of India... 326 B.C. // year 47 We stopped at the beginnings of the future Suez Canal, 500 years B.C., which would have made it possible to avoid the long route taken by Ishmaelite merchants to Egypt. Alexander the Great entered India from the north-west in 326 B.C. when he [...].
In the beginning... 4300 B.C. // 520 B.C. The discovery and trade of spices has seen empires rise and cities fall, and great powers succeed one another, but it has also served to bind together different eras of human history. The spice trade was the starting point for [...]