Spice’s Significance in the Indonesia’s Culinary Heritage
Indonesian culinary taste cannot be separated from spices. Apart from being an important commodity in Indonesia, spices have a very important role in Indonesian culinary delights. Not only do they make food delicious, but spices are also used for tradition, culture, and health.
As a country located on the equator, Indonesia has many types of very interesting spices. In fact, for hundreds of years Indonesia was colonized, and almost all the spices in Indonesia have been known to the world. This is one of the advantages of Indonesian culinary delights, namely the strong taste of spices.
Spices have a million benefits that you need to know. Original Indonesian spices are now very famous in the world wherever you are, you can find Indonesian spices.
The Role of Spices in Culinary Traditions in Indonesia
Spices are closely related to Indonesian history. It’s not just about colonialism, long before colonialism Indonesia was famous for its various spices, especially in Papua and Kalimantan.
Consisting of 34 provinces, Indonesia does not have typical food. All culinary delights in Indonesia are regional specialties that have different tastes. So what is the role of spices in Indonesian culinary taste?
– Delicious Food
Spices make food taste more delicious. All food that comes from Indonesia has a strong and fragrant taste. Even one type of food can be cooked with many types of spices.
Spices will make the food taste more fragrant and have character. Every region in Indonesia has different food tastes. However, food originating from these areas is made with spices.
For example, when you try East Javanese soto and Kalimantan’s typical soto, you will taste the same food but cooked with different spices. This is what makes Indonesian culinary tastes diverse, but they all still have a delicious and strong taste.
See also : 10 Best Indonesian Spices in the Kitchen
– Typical food characteristics of each region
Indonesian spices make dishes more delicious, but did you know that each region has native spices that make the taste of their dishes different? The taste of food on the island of Java will be different from the island of Sumatra.
This is what makes Indonesian culinary specialties very diverse. Not only is restaurant food delicious, but home cooking is also no less delicious because it uses the same spices.
Indonesian spices are a world commodity that must be preserved. Because this will save Indonesian culinary delights in the future. Indonesian spices make each region have different but delicious culinary specialties, you can taste all the differences.
– Role in the World Economy
Indonesian spices also influenced the world economy, especially during the colonial period. Several countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal came to Indonesia and took spices which were sold on the world market.
Until now, Indonesian spices also played an important role in the world economy. Not only for Indonesia, spices are sold on the world market and generate enormous economic value.
In Indonesia, spices not only play a role in enhancing the taste of food but are also used for health, culture, and religious activities. These spices can be used as aromatherapy which will later be exported to various countries.
Just like other spices needed in some countries with cold winters. For example, ginger, cardamom, and pepper are needed there. Not only do they make food tastier, some spices can make your body warmer so they are suitable for consumption during winter.
– Spices for Health
One of the legacies of our ancestors is using spices for health. It doesn’t have to be consumed directly, these spices will be added to cooking so that the food tastes better and can make the body healthy quickly.
For example, during the rainy season, many people get the flu and try to get better without having to use chemical medicines. So you can make chicken soup with additional spices such as ginger, cardamom, lawing flower, and lemongrass.
The dishes produced from this combination of spices will make the body feel fitter and healthier. Many Indonesians prefer to eat dishes rich in spices to treat their pain compared to taking medicine.
Because they believe that Indonesian spices are a heritage that can treat various diseases. This ancestral legacy must be maintained to this day.
The benefits of Indonesian spices are very well known abroad. It is not surprising that demand for Indonesian spice exports continues to increase every year. Apart from making delicious food, it also makes the body healthier.
Indonesian flavors are heavily influenced by spices. If Indonesian food does not use spices, the food will taste bland and not show the characteristics of Indonesian culinary delights.
Many tourists come to Indonesia and are amazed by Indonesian culinary delights. Because there are not just one or two types, there are hundreds of regional specialties in Indonesia with different tastes but all of them are delicious.