How Snobbery Helped Take The Spice Out Of European Cooking
Complex, contrasting flavors are a hallmark of Indian cooking. They used to dominate Western food, too. What changed? When spices became less exclusive, Europe's elite revamped their cuisines.
Hasnain says:
Interesting historical take. It’s not 100% clear how they went from that data to this conclusion though.
“Serving richly spiced stews was no longer a status symbol for Europe's wealthiest families — even the middle classes could afford to spice up their grub. "So the elite recoiled from the increasing popularity of spices," Ray says. "They moved on to an aesthetic theory of taste. Rather than infusing food with spice, they said things should taste like themselves. Meat should taste like meat, and anything you add only serves to intensify the existing flavors."”
Posted on 2021-03-12T18:28:46+0000