BOOK REVIEW: The Herb & Spice Companion by Marcus A.
Webb and Richard Craze
These past few years, as I slowly travelled through Asia, I
never missed a chance to stroll around at their local markets. A plethora of
sights greeted me, from vendors selling the freshest vegetables to unique food
items. However, I couldn’t resist myself from using my well-toned sense of
smell to take in the sweet, sometimes pungent, aromatic smells of the spices in
the spice section of the markets. Sometimes I was allowed by the vendors to
pluck a mint leaf there and a basil leaf here to pop into my mouth and savour
the flavours that burst forth from the leaves.
Being intrigued by all these herbs and spices, I needed a
guide to brush up my meagre knowledge of these ingredients, including usage and
health benefits. I chanced upon this book during one of the book fairs back
here in Malaysia and my eyes widened in anime-like proportions as I was excited
to finally acquire what I searched for.
This book is an authoritative guide to preparing and using a
wide variety of common and unusual herbs and spices.
Illustrated directories list the medicinal, culinary and
cosmetic uses of each herb and the history and essential properties of each
spice.
Besides that, this comprehensive book explains which herbs
to use during the stages of your life and for different physical and emotional
conditions. It also covers the use of spices for health and beauty as well as
for culinary use.
After flipping through these pages, I have a much deeper
respect for the humble spice that reached our shores during the merchant era.
Now as I sprinkle cumin seeds in a steaming pot of rice and breathe in its
sweet fragrance, I hope all readers out there find this unparalleled joy of
spices and spread the love of spice.
