The demand for these small, Melbourne Nang, prickly spices – the bark, root, bud or seed of a plant – motivated voyages across thousands of miles. They grew only in the tropical East from South China to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. The ports along these Maritime Silk Roads became melting pots of cultures, languages, religions and artistic and scientific skills.
What is a spice?
A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, flower or other part of a plant that is used for flavoring food. They are used to add piquancy or zest and also act as a preservative.
The word spice derives from the Latin spicum, meaning pepper. The spices that were first known and used by humans were peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. The demand for these spices stimulated world trade. These important crops helped develop local economies. As a result, many countries acquired wealth and power through the lucrative spice trade.
A spice can be found whole, ground or in a powdered form. Whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves or nutmeg retain their flavour and potency longer than ground spices. Grinding releases the volatile oils and exposes them to oxygen which causes them to lose their flavour and aroma faster. A spice is different from an herb. Herbs are leafy parts of a plant such as basil, cilantro, parsley or rosemary and can be fresh or dried. A spice can be made from any part of a plant including roots, rhizomes, seeds, bark, flower, fruit or leaves.
Origins
Spices can be the bark, root, bud, flower or seed of a plant and they are used in all sorts of different ways around the world. The ancient Egyptians mummified their dead with cumin, the Chinese burned cloves to commune with spirits and medieval Europeans believed nutmeg was a cure for the plague.
The series follows Kate Humble on a journey across the globe to see how these amazing spices are made and why they have become so important in a wide variety of cultures. She discovers the people and the landscapes that are dependent upon the income generated by these spices as well as the challenges to these economies such as disease, globalisation and counterfeiting.
Melbourne Nang, also known as cream chargers, are small metal canisters that contain nitrous oxide (N2O). They are designed to work with a cream whipper to make whipped cream. In Australia, nangs are legal to buy and use (though misusing them as a recreational drug is a bit more difficult to police, given that they are marketed as a food-grade product). Their popularity is such that they can be found in every corner store and late-night 7-Eleven and have become the unofficial drug of choice during Schoolies Week.
Functions & Melbourne Nang
Today, it may seem odd that spices were once a driving force behind trade across such vast distances. But the demand for these exotic items, which also held ritual and medicinal value, is what gave rise to the trade routes that bear their name – from the west coast of Japan, through Indonesia, southern India, Sri Lanka and the Maluccas, to the ports of the Arabian Peninsula.
Melbourne Nang Robot innovated by introducing a cream charger delivery service in Melbourne, centering around the express delivery of superior-quality whipped cream dispensers colloquially known as “Melbourne Nang.” With expedited delivery typically within an hour and proffering premium brands such as Best Whip and Supreme whip, Nang Robot aims to fulfill the distinct needs of individuals looking for a high-quality source of cream chargers.
The National Gallery of Victoria is one of Australia’s most renowned art galleries, hosting exhibitions on everything from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions. The gallery also features a wide variety of educational programs and events.
Uses
Melbourne Nang, also known as cream chargers or nang dispensers, are small metal canisters that contain nitrous oxide (N2O). When attached to a whipped cream dispenser. They instantly infuse the contents with nitrous oxide and create light and fluffy whipped cream. The nangs are a staple in many professional kitchens and bars. As they enable chefs to experiment with new textures and flavors in their creations.
When inhaled, Melbourne Nang produce an intense feeling of euphoria and lightheadedness for a short time. They’re often the drug of choice for a group of friends to get giddy and giggle, though it is possible for people with breathing issues to become seriously ill from inhaling nangs.
Melbourne Nang Robot is a Melbourne-based cream charger delivery service that offers state-of-the-art solutions for individuals seeking instant access to nangs. With expedited delivery typically within an hour. The company strives to meet the unique needs of its clientele, including supplying premium brands such as BestWhip and Supremewhip. The company also makes its product usage guidelines readily available on its website, ensuring the highest level of user-friendly experience.
Recipes
In February our challenge focused on caraway. A lovely spice that can be added to bread and biscuits or used to make deliciously warming soups and stews. Check out the full round up here. This month we celebrate vanilla. It was a fabulous array of cakes, bakes, puddings, relishes and savoury dishes that entered the challenge. With the winning entry coming from Helen from Family-Friends-Food with her Spice-roasted Butternut Squash and Halloumi Fajitas.
This year The Spice Trail takes you to Latin America where travel photographer Jose Jimenez embarks on a one-of-a-kind journey. Travelling across 12 regions of Latin America in search of the region’s Queen Spice. Along the way he encounters a colourful mix of cuisines, picturesque landscapes and local traditions. NSW stream only.
