Ginger is a spice commonly found in supermarkets and the kitchen, either as the fresh root or in dried, powdered form. It adds a strong, pungent flavour to dishes as a consequence of several chemical compounds it contains; additionally, these compounds are altered when the ginger is cooked or dried, producing alterations to its flavour. Some of these compounds have also been investigated for potential health benefits, including potential anti-tumour activity.
Cloves are a spice that you may well have stowed away somewhere in the kitchen; originally from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, the spice itself comes from the flower buds of the clove tree. It is used to flavour food, imparting a sweet, aromatic flavour, and also one of the common spices used in the making of mulled wine. As well as this, the oil of cloves is commonly recommended as a traditional remedy for relieving toothache, amongst other conditions. So, what are the chemicals that make this use possible?
The first batch of chemical compound spice labels are now available from the Etsy site here! Note that this is a different…
When you think of hallucinogens, you probably wouldn’t expect to find one lurking, unbeknownst to you, in your kitchen spice rack. However, the hallucinogenic properties of nutmeg have been known for some time – historical records mention its use as a treatment for problems with the digestive system and the kidneys, and others from as far back as the 16th & 17th centuries comment on its narcotic effects. So, what are the chemical compounds that cause this?
[Now available to purchase as herb/spice jar labels here!]
It’s often stated that cooking is much like chemistry, or vice versa. I thought it’d be fun to take that a little further, and look at the major organic compounds present in various different herbs and spices that are frequently used in cooking, so that’s what this poster tries to do. Obviously, each herb or spice owes its precise flavour to the complex mix of organic compounds it is composed of, rather than one simple compound that can be isolated – however, some compounds contribute more than others, and it is these that I’ve tried to focus on here.
