Ch. 17 - Herbs and Spices

What are the Largest group of Secondary Metabolites?

Terpenoids

What is the difference between Herbs and Spices?

Herbs derive from the Leaves. Spices derive from the Seed, Fruit, Bark, and Buds

Founded by Alexander the Great, where was the “central hub” and main maritime port for the spice trade located?

• What was it also nicknamed?

Alexandria, Egypt

• Pepper-gate

What two spices were popular in Ancient Rome and was used as a sign of wealth and power?

• In ____ AD, the Roman Empire fell and the spice trade fell out of popularity.

Cloves and Cinnamon

• 476

Explain how the Spice Trade was revived by Marco Polo

Marco Polo was sent out on a mission where he travelled spice-rich areas throughout Asia. When he was got imprisoned, he documented his routes and where the spices were.

During the spice trade revival, who was the founder of the School of Navigation in Portugal.

• What were the paths of all the recruited explorers?

Prince Henry

• Columbus → New World

• Diaz → Cape of Good Hope

• Da Gama → India

• Magellan → (Circumnavigation) Spice Islands

Spice Islands are also known as the ________ islands.

• Which countries make up these islands?

Molucca

• Indonesia, Borneo, New Guinea

What rare spices are native to the spice islands?

• How did the Dutch East India company gain control over these spices from the Portuguese?

Cloves, Nutmeg, and Mace

• By using violent tactics, took control of trade and burned plantations (which killed indigenes) to raise the price and value of the spices.

The French were able to smuggle spices from the Molucca islands from the Dutch by getting them from the oldest milled tree from the Ternate Island from Indonesia called the…

• Where did the French take it’s seedlings to?

Afo clove tree

• Zanziber

Cinnamon

• Family

• Genus

• Origins

• Luaraceae

• Cinnamomum

• India and Sri Lanka

What is the Genus species of “True Cinnamon” from Sri Lanka? How is it prepared?

• What is the Genus species of commonly used cinnamon? How is it prepared?

Cinnamomum zeylanicum. The inner bark is rolled into quills

• Cinnamomum cassia. The entire bark is rolled into quills or grounded into powder

How does “Debarking” a tree to harvest cinnamon bad for the environment?

It compromises the phloem which kills the tree.

Black Pepper

• Family

• Genus Species

• Organ

• Piperaceae

• Piper nigrum

• Berry

Black pepper was frequently traded at which famous port during the spice trade?

• What alkaloid gives the spice its pungent flavor?

Pepper-gate

• Piperine

Match the Types of Black Pepper with the Processing Method

1. ________ is harvested and dried giving it its black color.

2. ________ is a fully mature and ripe berry that is harvested.

3. ________ is has the outer hull removed making it less pungent

4. ________ is harvested immature having a milder flavor

1. Black Pepper

2. Red Pepper

3. White Pepper

4. Green Pepper

Cloves

• Family

• Genus Species

• Origin

• Myrtaceae

• Eugenia caryophyllata

• Spice Islands (Indonesia)

How are cloves sourced?

Sourced from closed, immature flower buds of a clove tree.

Nutmeg and Mace

• Family

• Origin

• Myristicaceae

• Spice Islands

Nutmeg Anatomy: ________ is the inner seed and _____ is the red aril surrounding it.

• Nutmeg contains __________ which is responsible for it’s hallucinogenic and toxic properties when consumed in large quantities.

Nutmeg; Mace

• allylbenzene

_______ is the Nutmeg State of the U.S.

• How did it get it’s nickname?

Connecticut

• From Yankee scams, where fake wooden nutmeg nuggets were sold by peddlers

Ginger

• Family

• Genus species

• Origin

• Organ

• Zingerberaceae

• Zingiber officinale

• Asia

• Rhizome

What phenolic compounds does Ginger contain that is responsible for its flavor?

• What is its medicinal uses?

Gingerols

• Treats stomach ailments

Tumeric

• Family

• Genus species

• Organ

• Zingerberaceae

• Curcuma longa

• Rhizome

The chemical compound responsible for Turmeric’’s bright orange color is called…

Curcumin

Saffron

• Family

• Genus species

• Iridaceae

• Crocus sativus

Why is Saffron so expensive? What cheaper alternatives are used?

• As of 2022, Saffron costs $____ per gram and $____ per ounce.

It has a labor intensive harvest and a low yield. Turmeric and Dyes are used to replace saffron in products.

• $7.48; $211

Bell/Chili Peppers

• Family

• Genus

• Origin

• Solanaceae

• Capsicum

• The New World

What Alkaloid produces the hot and spicy sensation in peppers?

• Which fruit has a higher vitamin C content, Citrus or Bell Peppers?

Capsaicin

• Bell Pepper

Write the Genus species of the peppers

1. Bell Peppers

2. Habenaro

1. Capsicum annum

2. Capsicum chinense

What is the Scoville test?

• Describe the Methodology

Created by Wilbur Scoville (1912) its a test used to measure the spiciness of a pepper

• Pepper extracts are diluted until the taster can no longer detect the heat.

The _________ is the hottest pepper in the world (cross between the habanero and the ghost pepper)

Carolina Reaper

Vanilla

• Family

• Origin

• Orchidaceae

• Central America

What chemical compound is responsible for Vanilla’s flavor?

• Since true vanilla is rare and expensive, list the 3 introduced substitutes for it.

Vanillin

• Tonka Beans

• Synthetic Vanilla Extract

• Genetically Engineered Yeast

What did Tonka Beans contain that banned it from being used due to health concerns?

• How does Genetically engineered yeast make synthetic vanilla?

Coumarin (blood thinner)

• It can produce vanillin from plastics or glucose.

Sassafras

• Family

• Origins

• Lauraceae

• Southeast U.S.

What is the Chemical compound contained in Sassafras roots

• Why is Natural Sassafras Root use restricted today?

Safrole

• Safrole was linked to carcinogenic effects, so the FDA restricted its use in Root beers and teas, replacing it with synthetic versions

Where do most herbs originate from?

• They contain __________ which contribute to their aroma.

Europe and the Mediterranean

• Caffeic Acids

What are some common herbs from the family Lamiaceae?

• Coriander, Dill, Parsley, Caraway, etc. all come from which family?

Mint, Basil, Oregano, Sage, etc.

• Apiaceae

Herbs like Wasabi and Horseradish come from the family…

• These contain Glucosinolate compounds. What do these do?

Brassicaceae

• Stimulate sinuses due to volatile oils

Based on its origins, what is the genus of Wasabi?

Japonica

The Onion Family (garlic, onion, chives, etc.) is in the family…

• What are the genus species of Garlic and Onions?

Alliaceae

• Garlic: Allium sativum

• Onion: Alluim cepa

What is the Common Organ of the Onion Family?

• What’s the Onions sulfur-containing compounds known for it anti-microbial properties and immune benefits?

Bulb

• Allicin

What is Stevia and how does it compare to sugars like Sucrose?

• How is it beneficial in diabetes management and insulin regulation?

A natural sweetener that contains compounds 300x sweeter than sucrose

• Its not absorbed as glucose by the body

What chemical compound do Miracle Fruits contain that help alter tastes from sour food making them sweet?

Miraculin