The buzz on Spice!
Its very amusing when you introduce a certain spice or herb to an average person on herbs and spices. They will usually ask a guide 3 main questions….Can I eat it? Can I make money out of this herb? Are there health benefits from this particular herb?
If you are one of them, Dont feel bad, most of us have been conditioned through our culture and society to ask such as questions but here is a chance to get away from the norm!
How?
There is so much more to be learnt about spices than just throwing them in your pot while you cook your favourite stew or briyani. Come learn more about spices during Spice week! Spice week is an initiative by Tropical Spice Garden to feature one type of spice or herb. It will be held every 3rd week of the month throughout the year!
So why Spice week?
Have you looked at a Cinnamon, wondering where it came from? or what plant family it belongs too? or what else was cinnamon used for besides our cinnamon raisin buns, apple pies and curries? There is so much to be discovered! the secrets behind the spices are waiting to be revealed. Spice week is all about getting up close with a spice. Get to know more about the origins of the spice, how our ancestors used a spice, the cultural significance and it’s historical purpose. For example, did you know that during the Renaissance , cloves and cinnamon were used for ventilation and cleaning of floors to prevent foot odor from permeating the room?
Our first Spice Week feature is…..
*drum roll*
Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum
Cardamom is of the world’s ancient spices. It is native to the East originating in the forests of the western ghats in Southern India, where it grows wild.At current day, Cardamom can be seen to be growing in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, IndoChina and Tanzania. We use cardamom more in our cooking but little did we know that Ancient Eqyptians used Cardamom as a tooth cleaner while the Greeks and Romans used it as a perfume. A few of us at the gardens tested out this ancient method as we chewed a few cardamoms to see if really did clean our teeth. The outcome: we are not sure about the tooth cleaning…but we can surely assure you that it gives a very soothing and refreshing taste to the mouth 
Its commonly found in rice pilafs, Indian sweets and drinks, Scandinavian pastries and cakes and the infamous Dutch “Windmill” biscuits.We are also featuring the all time favourite Giant Cardamom,Lime and Oatmeal Cookies during this week and works on a Cardamom tea is on the way! Cookies are priced at RM 3 per piece and are made specially at the gardens with good quality ingredients just for you!
Spice Week Happenings!
Drop by the Gardens from 16th -22nd April 2012 from 9am to 6pm and discover more about Cardamom, it surely has more to offer than just that intense bitter taste it leaves on your tongue when you accidentally bite into it! Come taste and savour Cardamom in many other ways and explore its history and significance with a guided tour at the Gardens. Our chefs at our cooking school are also cooking up dishes which feature Cardamom as part of the recipe for us to know how essential a tiny little pod can burst out with flavour to enhance your favourite dish! Irresistible yummy cookies and soothing Cardamom Tea await you at the Gardens , come join us this week to celebrate this spice!
