Spices

Spices come from around the world
From seeds of plants or even the root,
From leafy bushes or colourful flowers,
The bark of a tree or maybe the fruit.

In ancient times spices were not cheap,
But were traded from pole to pole.
Used by cooks to flavour food nicely,
And in medicine they found a role.

Cinnamon is ground and used in baking,
Made from the bark of an evergreen tree,
A gift for kings in years gone by,
An everyday occurrence for me.

Saffron comes from a crocus flower
And is the world’s most expensive spice.
First cultivated by a Cretan grower
Used today to flavour seafood and rice.

Black pepper gives heat to any dish,
And is the fruit of flowering vines;
Once dried it becomes the peppercorns,
Used in India since prehistoric times.

Nutmeg has a warm, sweet aroma
The taste of Christmas for you,
But in soups it’s one to savour
Thought to beat the plague, it’s true!

So next time you open the kitchen cupboard,
Remember what you have learned today.
Cinnamon, saffron, pepper and nutmeg
Why not use them everyday?