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EveryMasala

Christian: spices in ritual

Frankincense and myrrh, the Epiphany cake, Christmas baking and the anointing oils.

Christian tradition uses spices in worship and in festival food, from the frankincense and myrrh of the Epiphany story to the spiced breads and cakes of Christmas and Easter.

In worship

Frankincense is burned as incense in Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and Oriental churches, and its smoke is described in these traditions as a symbol of prayer rising. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi bring gold, frankincense and myrrh, which is remembered at Epiphany.

Christmas and Easter

Christmas foods include gingerbread, mince pies, stollen, panettone, mulled wine and Christmas pudding, with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. Easter foods include hot cross buns, flavoured with cinnamon and mixed spice, and simnel cake. Eastern Orthodox Christians have kulich and paskha.

Around the world

Syrian Christians of Kerala have a cuisine based on pepper, coconut and spices. Ethiopian Orthodox fasting days lead to spiced vegetable dishes with berbere, and Christian communities in Mexico, the Philippines and the Caribbean have their own festival foods.

Christian 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
馃嚠馃嚪 Iran and 4 moreSaffron夭毓賮乇丕賳 The dried crimson stigmas of the autumn-blooming saffron crocus.Stigma 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Bitter 馃嚞馃嚪 Greece and 1 moreMastic螠伪蟽蟿委蠂伪 A bitter-sweet resin from the mastic tree, used in desserts and traditional medicine.Bitter 路 Sharp and pungent 馃嚬馃嚟 Thailand and 4 moreBenzoin resin A sweet balsamic tree resin used in incense, perfumes, and traditional medicine.Resin 路 Sweet and mellow 馃嚠馃嚦 India and 2 moreBay leaf The dried or fresh leaves of the laurel tree, used to infuse depth into slow-cooked dishes.Leaf 路 Herbal and green 路 Sharp and pungent 馃嚞馃嚪 Greece and 4 moreThyme The dried leaves of a Mediterranean mint-family herb, used to perfume stews and baths alike.Leaf 路 Earthy and deep 路 Warm and sweet-spiced 馃嚠馃嚦 India and 5 moreMustard seed Tiny seeds from Brassica plants that become a sharp condiment or cooking oil.Seed 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Hot and fiery 馃嚬馃嚪 Turkey and 2 moreMahleb A ground cherry seed used to sweeten Middle Eastern baked goods with an almond-cherry note.Seed 路 Sweet and mellow 路 Bitter 馃嚠馃嚦 IndiaBafat A coastal Indian spice blend for pork stews and meat dishesBlend 路 Hot and fiery 路 Earthy and deep 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 馃嚬馃嚪 Turkey and 5 moreBay Laurel未维蠁谓畏 The dried leaf of a Mediterranean evergreen, used to infuse slow-cooked dishes with herbal depth.Sharp and pungent 路 Bitter 馃嚞馃嚦 Guinea and 5 moreGrains of paradise The pungent, citrus-tinged seeds of a West African ginger relative.Seed 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Hot and fiery 馃嚟馃嚭 Hungary and 5 moreHorseradish A pungent root vegetable from Southeastern Europe used as a spicy condiment.Root 路 Hot and fiery 路 Sharp and pungent 馃嚠馃嚦 India and 5 moreMustard seed Tiny seeds from three Brassica plants that create pungent condiments and cooking oil.Seed 路 Hot and fiery 路 Sharp and pungent

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.