EMOTIVE SPICE
Flavour is just one aspect of spice. The real magic is in using combinations of aromatics to evoke emotional responses via the taste experience. Creating an emotive response to food requires an understanding of spice categories, even before it comes to blending masala. Spice categories are responsible for creating structure in a dish. But they are also responsible for reaching into our sensory bodies and recalling a particular emotional response.
Read on below to find out a little more about how spice categories help you to tell emotive stories through food.
STORY AND SPICE CATEGORIES:
Earth category spices are responsible for imparting a stable, grounding, and steadying effect on the body. Use aromatics from this category to tell a tale of stillness.
Warm category aromatics are responsible for imparting a pleasurable and recognisable feeling of comfort. Use aromatics from this category to tell a tale of family and fireside.
Bitter category aromatics are responsible for imparting a feeling of deep stillness and anchoring. Use aromatics from this category to tell a tale of stability, slowness, or grounding through change.
Forest Floor category spices are responsible for imparting a feeling of movement. Use aromatics from this category to tell a tale of restlessness, seasonal shifts, or change.
Astringent-Sulphuric category spices are responsible for imparting a feeling of spaciousness. Use aromatics from this category to tell a tale of limitlessness, energy, or groundlessness.
Acidic category spices are responsible for imparting a feeling of excitement. Use aromatics from this category to tell a tale of contraction, wonder, or new experience.