World spice plants /
Johannes Seidemann.
- viii, 591 pages : colour illustrations ; 28 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 407-502) and index.
Despite their long tradition spices are subject to international modern scientific research. This has made it necessary to disseminate knowledge to a large audience of interest. The book addresses this need by informing the reader about the complex worldwide use of spice plants. The many spice and aromatic plants are arranged in alphabetical order of their botanical relevance. It includes all species which have been cultivated for the above purposes. It also covers species whose usage has long ceased or which are used only rarely or have become wild. In this respect the author has aimed at comprehensiveness. In total over 1400 plants have been collated. The very extensive register of literature has been designed to facilitate intensive study of a specific plant or spice. Works both on botany and agriculture, and on chemistry, pharmacodynamics and usage have been considered. The book is aimed principally at spice and aroma experts, pharmacists, botanists and interested lay persons. But the author also had in mind food chemists, dieticians and agricultural scientists, for whom botany, chemistry and pharmacological aspects may be of interest. It is hoped that those occupied in the spice and aroma industry involved in creating spice blends and the like will also take inspiration from the book. "This book addresses the need to disseminate scientific knowledge of the complex world of spice plants to a wide audience of interest. It considers the economic usage of spices in several forms, as an ingredient for adding flavor, as a pot herb and as an additive for condiments such as ketchup, and mustard. Designed as a work of reference, it offers an easy to use systematic listing of international nomenclature." "The book is aimed primarily at aroma experts in both science and industry, but also botanists, pharmacists, food chemists and dieticians will take inspiration from the book, which is also illustrated by around 100 full color photographs."--BOOK JACKET.