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EveryMasala

Birth and childhood: spices that mark them

Spiced foods for new mothers, naming days and the first meal of a child.

Birth and new babies are marked in many cultures with spiced foods, drinks and ceremonies, which are given as customs and not as medical guidance.

Postnatal foods

In several traditions mothers are given special foods after birth. In India, panjiri and laddus made with ghee, ginger, fenugreek and dry fruit are served. In China, the confinement tradition of zuo yuezi includes ginger dishes. In Mexico and elsewhere, local teas and soups are prepared. These are practices of tradition and not health advice.

Welcoming the baby

In Islamic tradition the aqiqah feast may mark a baby's birth. In Jewish tradition, a shalom zachar gathering may include chickpeas. In the Caribbean and Africa, spiced porridges and sweets are shared. Customs vary.

Sharing sweets

Sweets flavoured with cardamom, saffron or nutmeg are widely distributed after a birth, to share the joy with neighbours.

Birth and childhood on EveryMasala

The spices written up so far, best known first.

PartSeedBarkRootFlowerFruitChilliLeafResinBulbStigmaBlendPasteSeasoning
FlavourHot and fieryWarm and sweet-spicedSweet and mellowEarthy and deepCitrus and brightSharp and pungentSmokyFloral and perfumedBitterAnise and liquoriceSour and tartSavoury and umamiNumbing and tinglingHerbal and green
MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperSnacks and tea timeDrinksDesserts and sweetsStreet foodPickles and preservesFeasts and banquets
馃嚭馃嚫 United States and 1 moreCalifornian white sage An aromatic desert shrub whose seeds flavour maize foods and roots make tonic teaSeed 路 Herbal and green 路 Sharp and pungent 馃嚨馃嚫 Palestine and 4 moreGreek sage A perennial Mediterranean herb with silvery leaves and pinkish-lavender flowers.Leaf 路 Herbal and green 馃嚦馃嚞 Nigeria and 1 moreAlligator pepper The seed pods of West African ginger plants, named for the bumpy texture of their inner kernels.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Hot and fiery 馃嚠馃嚬 Italy and 2 moreCommon sage The gray-green leaves of a Mediterranean perennial used in European roasts and traditional remedies.Leaf 路 Herbal and green 馃嚨馃嚬 Portugal and 4 moreRosemary A fragrant Mediterranean shrub with needle-like leaves used for seasoning and remembranceHerbal and green

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

The weekly digest

Every Monday: seven spices you may not know, what is cooking this week, and one blend explained step by step.