Feature | Herbs of South Asia
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South Asia is fondly known for its array of pungent , potent spices , with Kochi in India often referred to as the “ spice capital of the world ”.
▴ A mixture of spices is ground to make garam masala , a popular seasoning in South Asian dishes
With its incredible abundance of endemic herbs , South Asia played a central role in the overland trade that saw spices such as cinnamon , cardamom , turmeric and black pepper change hands across the Eastern World in antiquity . When the Austronesian peoples of Southeast Asia built the first ocean-going boats , the first maritime trade network in the Indian Ocean was created , establishing trade routes with Sri Lanka and southern India as early as 1500 BCE .
South Asia ’ s spices would be transported as far as Africa and the Arabian Peninsula by Indonesian sailors , and later by land to the Mediterranean world and the Roman Empire by Indian and Persian traders . By the end of the 15th century , Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama had established a new maritime trade route from Europe to the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope . The spice trade continued through the era of British colonisation and prevails in modern-day India .
Through this rich history , South Asia has become synonymous with the aromatic and pungent spices used in hot and flavourful cuisine as well as many of the herbs employed in traditional medicines across Asia .
South Asia played a central role in the overland trade that saw spices such as cinnamon , cardamom , turmeric and black pepper change hands across the Eastern World in antiquity
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