The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters 789: World of Spices with Sana Javeri Kadri and Ethan Frisch
Oct 4, 2024
Sana Javeri Kadri discusses the research on the spice trade and her business based on the stories of spice farmers worldwide. Ethan Frisch walks us through a spice tasting of peppercorns, cinnamon, and cumin. The podcast explores the history and exploitation of the spice trade, the cultural significance of spices, and the commitment to supporting small farmers. They also discuss the varieties and flavors of cinnamon and the fruity aroma of white pepper.
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Colonial Trade Still Shapes Spices
- Colonial-era spice trade created long middleman chains that prioritized profit over flavor and farmer pay.
- That system largely persisted after colonizers left, producing stale, low-quality spices on consumers' shelves.
Buy Fresh Spices For Real Flavor
- Prioritize freshness when buying spices because volatile oils drive flavor.
- Avoid old commodity spices and seek single-origin or recently harvested sources for better taste.
Restore Spices' Cultural Origins
- Western narratives often reframe spices around European uses while erasing their original culinary contexts.
- Diaspora Co. aims to restore farmers' cultural recipes and origin stories alongside fair pay.