Holland’s success prompted the foundation of the English East India Company by London merchants in 1600, to which the Dutch retaliated two years later by founding the Dutch East India Company in 1602. From then on there was stiff competition between the two with each fighting for control of the spice trade. One happy outcome, however, was that Europe came to know not only Oriental spices but also silk and porcelain.
Spices thus indirectly led to a flourishing trade with the Orient and a heightened interest in the exotic, which was one of the most marked elements of European culture in the 17th and 18th century. An important role was played by the East India Companies which had a monopoly on trade with southern and southeast Asia. This laid the foundation for English colonial rule in India and Dutch rule in Indonesia.
The colonizers tried to preserve their monopoly by stringent measures designed to prevent the cultivation of spices on territory belonging to other nations but in this they were successful only for a time. In the course of the 18th century the cultivation of herbs and spices spread throughout the tropics.
Mushrooms are not only a popular food that is low in calories, but also a delicate seasoning for soups, omelettes, meats and sauces. Young meadow mushrooms may be pickled and used in salads or served with roast meat, sausages or salami.
In 1521 he discovered the Philippine Islands where he was killed in a skirmish with the natives. Only a single ship from the entire flotilla reached the Moluccan island of Tidor to return home after three years with the surviving 18 members of the crew and a cargo of cloves. Their commander. Juan Sebastian del Cano, was raised to the ranks of the nobility and assigned 12 cloves, 3 nutmegs and 2 cinnamon sticks to his coat-of-arms. The imminent competitive struggle between the Spaniards and Portuguese Dutch expedition reached the spice islands in 1595.
Fully ripe mushrooms with leading caps are the most flavoursome, as It rule. As fresh meadow mushrooms are available in shops throughout the year there is no need to dry them for use in the kitchen.
