The period of time when Queen Elizabeth-I reigned successfully in England is called Elizabethan era. It was an enriched period of time when cuisine was developed to its extreme level because of the spices that were imported from the New World.

People had to spend good amount of money to purchase these spices as these were every expensive. That is why this kind of spice was only available in richer households. The pestle and mortar became a common and important tool in the kitchen of those richer households to grind down these spices that are newly discovered to add fish or meat dishes. These spices were really able to make the recipes tasty. In the entire England these spices got utmost popularity.

The Effectiveness Of Spices

Cayenne peppers, chili peppers and Paprika – the latter made from grinding good quality fruit of the bell pepper. It got utmost popularity when arrived in England. People of this country found these peppers very useful as various kinds of meats were preserved in salt. Various spices that are made from peppers were very helpful to cover the excessive saltiness. These were really able to create positive effects on the taste of recipes.

In the kitchen of most of the rich people these spices were common. Side by side there were many explorers who brought back saffron, cloves, cinnamon and ginger from the Far East, thus creating the oriental spice trade. These spices were also used in many ways. People used these spices to flavor stews. These are useful to disguise the taste of salt. Both new world spices and oriental spices brought huge changes in the cuisine of England.

Spice Trade In Elizabethan Period

There are two reasons behind the popularity of spices in Elizabethan period. They were very useful to add extra flavor to various foods that had been preserved for a particular period of time in salt. This is one of the most vital aspects of these spices. Side by side these were also able to add an exotic element to the table of rich people. All the spices from the Far East were imported to the countries of Europe until Americas were discovered.

These spices became the essential part of European recipes. That is why European was eager to purchase them any how. Middle Eastern Middlemen supplied these to the Europeans. Side by side Europeans were ready to purchase these expensive spices by spending handsome amount only because of its effectiveness on various recipes. After the discovery of Americas’ colonization it made possible to import more ingredients to Europe. After that the cuisine was more enriched with various kinds of new ways to prepare foods.

Other Spices

In that time some special meat dishes contained ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. Side by side pies were beautifully stuffed with meat that was mixed with mace, cloves, and pepper. Fruits like strawberries, pears, and apples were also skillfully cooked with cinnamon. However, all these tasty foods were only available on the dining tables of rich people. Cheese and bread were common diet for the poor people.

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