a tariq salahuddin restaurant
Cardamoms are zingiberaceous! In other words they are the seed-pods of a tropical shrub belonging to the same family as ginger. The ancient Egyptians chewed the seeds to whiten their teeth. These days the strong volatile oils in cardamoms are used in perfumes and eau-de-cologne.
The love potion of the past. Coriander was also once valued for its preservative and tonic qualities, and in 17th-century France it was distilled to make liqueur and toilet water. These days its bright feathery aromatic leaves are the secret of a tasty dish.
The red one. This exotic, bright and dangerously red native of Peru has a really hot reputation. Chillies are less well knownn asa good source of vitamin C and as an ancient healing remedy.
The brilliant yellow one. Sunshine bright as a vegitable dye, useful as an antiseptic, exotic in perfume and a luminous pungent ingrediant of curry powder. Turmeric can also be used to make a paper which will disclose alkalis and acids by its changing colour.