Taste That Launched A Thousand Ships

From "De Novis Insulis" (Insule Moluccae-Cosmographia Universalis) ca. 1552-1558, Basel, Switzerland/Sebastian Muenster

I recently stumbled upon a recipe book describing Venetian cooking in the 15th Century—a time often considered the pinnacle of Venice's grandeur as a maritime and commercial power. During this era, Venice stood as a hub of bustling warehouses where spices were traded. Clearly, the influence of the Turkish quarter had seeped into the palates of its citizens. However, despite being a mere speck in the expansive Mediterranean landscape, the yearning for spiciness had already been spreading across Europe.

The term "spiciness" would later find expression in various Latin words linked to individual spices, like "caryophyllum" (also known as "gariophilum"), referring to the clove flower bud. The word "gingiber," derived from the ancient Greek term "zingiberis," or harking back to an even more archaic Indo-European root, the Sanskrit "srngaveram," vividly captures the horn-shaped characteristic of the root we now know as ginger.

The enigma of its origins confounded many minds. After indulging in flavorful dishes seasoned with exotic spices, dining tables transformed into study stations, maps unfurled to pinpoint the source. This trend sparked curiosity and diverse speculations. Ultimately, it evolved into what could arguably be deemed one of humanity's earliest global endeavors—the foundation of the renowned spice trade.

I find it rather intriguing that, when inquiring among many friends about the "Moluccas," nearly all confessed they could not locate it on a world map, unaware that this island group lies approximately 300 nautical miles south of Mindanao. This region stood as the coveted origin of the world's most exotic and precious spices. Cherished since the Roman era, rulers and merchants had pondered for centuries about the origins of these valuable commodities, given that the trade routes were largely controlled by the Arabs.

Among the European powers, Portugal held the distinction of being the first to reach the Moluccas—these legendary spice islands. Magellan had actually spent several years in Melaka (a part of Malaysia), gathering accounts of these islands before returning to Europe and offering his services to Spain.

As the late 1500s approached, the Dutch and Portuguese locked horns in a fierce battle for control over the Moluccas.

So, who or what do we hold responsible for our sometimes limited grasp of our Filipino identity, or the seemingly peculiar act of crossing oneself within a church or when encountering something otherworldly? Who do we attribute for the "mestizo" appearance, the striking beauty and handsomeness, or the occasional twists of fate—whether fortunate or daunting?

Let's place the blame on our taste buds... let's attribute it to the dynamics around the dinner table!

Ginger inscribed as ζιγγίβερις (a phonetic spelling of the Greek word) in "De Materia Medica" of Dioscorides. New York, Morgan Library (M.652,fol.57v) Constantinople, 940-960.