Common Spices

[lojafan]

Does anyone know of any common dry spices that would have been around during the war? Salt, pepper and spices are all I could find looking over recipes, but what else was common to see in a kitchen or haversack?

Many thanks!

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Common Spices

Last season I explored period recipes to compose a period menu for four meals. The spices that were called for in the recipes used included: sage, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, parsley, basil, lemon peel, orange peel, lemon zest, orange zest, cayenne pepper, cloves, ginger, mustard.

The recipes were published between 1803 and 1854... in other words, when women of 186x were learning their go-to recipes.

The most common spices in a spice tin were pepper, mustard, clove, mace, and nutmeg. If your tin would take seven, add cinnamon, ginger, or cayenne pepper.

The most common condiments on a table were salt, black pepper, red pepper, sweet (or olive) oil, table vinegar (usually lightly flavored with herbs), and a soybean-fish sauce (termed "soy" sauce because of the soybeans, try Asian markets for "oyster" sauce with soybeans in the ingredient list). These were served in a matched set of specialty glass containers called "casters". The emerging glassware and plate silver industries, as well as the expanding spice trade markets, made caster sets available to even middle (professional and merchant) class households.

[lojafan]

Re: Common Spices

Thank you very much! That's exactly what I was looking for!

[10TnVI]

Re: Common Spices

I have seen direct reference in letter collections of request from soldiers for cayenne pepper, curry,allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and even a request for a 50-50 mix of curry and cayenne.

[rbruno]

Re: Common Spices

Elaine,
Thanks for a great response. I was always wondering what would be correct spices and condiments to carry and add to cook with in the field. I look some up because I wasn't sure what there were and see that many are harvested around the world. The spice trade must have really been wide spread at the time. My question would be how would these spices come to the house or the troops. In other words, would the cloves be the flowers or already ground? Would basil be in the leaf or ground up? Same with pepper etc.

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Common Spices

Anyone recall the name of the lady who was a vendor selling period spices &c? She had pretty good products and documentation of them, there were like around 50 spices she sold for both CW and Rev. War periods.

[Doughboy]

Re: Common Spices

First you need to learn to cook Rob!

[Doughboy]

Re: Common Spices

http://savoringthepast.net/2012/11/15/spices-in-the-18th-century-english-kitchen/

[Rammstein142]

Re: Common Spices

Jason there is Deborahs Pantry that sells spices that work for both. She currently is retired and the shop and site are in transition of changing hands, they're suppose to be up and running again this month. But she had a plethora of correct spices in their raw or ground form.

[rbruno]

Re: Common Spices

Christopher, the way you cooked bacon at McDowell, you are right! I better learn to cook!

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Common Spices

Andrew-

Just a question for discussion clairification, are you talking about what were common spices of the day in-general OR what a civilan pantry and military haversack might both carry? Good discussion, just want to get as much out of it for the forum members with some clarification as to what knowledge you seek.

[Doughboy]

Re: Common Spices

Rob, I cooked that bacon for about 4 hours! Not on me!

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Common Spices

Jason there is Deborahs Pantry that sells spices that work for both. She currently is retired and the shop and site are in transition of changing hands, they're suppose to be up and running again this month. But she had a plethora of correct spices in their raw or ground form.

That's her, thank you. Too bad the shop is undergoing changes but hopefully for the better!

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Common Spices

Wait... further clarification of the situation these spices will be used in is needed to direct further responses.

Are you asking...

...Which spices are used in civilian cooking... so your food items are correctly spiced.
..or..
...Which spices are used in civilian cooking and how are they packaged... so you can show spices acquired from a civilian home or store.
...or...
...Which spices are used in military mess cooking and how are they packaged... so your camp food is spiced correctly and your mess can use spices without worrying over modern packaging.
...or...
...Which spices did the common soldier carry in his haversack and how were they packaged... because your camp food is bland and you seem to be the only one compelled to do anything about it. (...if this is the question then you'll need to specify which army, at what point in the conflict...and it will vary by growing/harvesting season and geographic nearness to trade routes/import houses)

Do you want herbs and flavorings too or only "spices"?

I really don't mean to be confrontational... it's terrific you are even asking... I just want your actual question answered instead of us going off on tangents based on what we think you are asking.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Common Spices

Agreed with what Elaine was asking- good question, but needs focus...