Although the Silk Road got its name from traversing the various nations of the Asian continent to the Mediterranean world, goods which were loaded onto the backs of animals and man consisted of more than mere silken fabric. Precious stones, perfumes, spices as well as numerous other offerings were carted from one end to the other, often in arduous approaching torturous form, all for the sake of making a precious buck. Whilst paying homage to the many dwellers residing along the route, spice samples were distributed by the travelling merchants and made their debut in kitchens of royalty and commoners alike. Thanks to adventurous cooks who took the brave step into adding a pinch of this and a dash of that into their traditional dishes, this brought about a love for spice and all things nice.

A press of the forward button to modern times, this seasoning is becoming part and parcel of every kitchen around the world. Although some may crinkle their noses at the more pungent ones, a safe bet such as pepper is a common addition to daily fare, earning an honorable spot on the dining table alongside its salty counterpart. Since the average man is greatly influenced by his nose, a whiff of nutmeg and cinnamon easily transports one to the Authortmas season and an apple pie baking in the oven. A pie encasing pigeon meat, scrambled eggs and sugared almonds in the crumbliest of pastry is a classical Moroccan delight. Once done, it is then anointed with cinnamon powder and icing sugar sprinkled atop in a lattice pattern. Strange as it may sound, the combination is apparently very appealing in terms of taste and texture.

Since spices lose their flavor once grounded to powder form, it is essential to bring out the spice mill just before the cooking process. Spice sample pouches offered by physical and internet stores are well sealed to maintain freshness and flavor. To promote its use in cooking, these establishments do their part in informing the masses on which complements what meat, vegetable or fruit dish. Depending on the season, they offer samplers at no additional cost with every purchase ordered from their sites. The informed consumer can also obtain further information from in-house experts and blogs fueled by satisfied customers. Whether one is looking for recipes, healthier choices to flavoring foods as well as elements to fight common ailments, one is assured a good start with a spice sample.