to explore and manipulate the world of natural
materials around us, to change those materials
to suit our needs and interests. And these
needs and interests include the stimulation of
our senses, the creation of sensory patterns
that engage our brains. After the development
of agriculture and its radically simplified diet,
our ancestors found ways to give our taste
buds and nose more to experience again. One
way was to make use of plant parts that are
especially concentrated sources of flavor.
Herbs and spices made it possible not only to
give bland foods more flavor, but to give them
more varied flavors, to ornament foods and
highlight flavor for flavor’s sake.
Flavorings are
Chemical Weapons
And why are some plants’ parts especially
potent, intense sources of flavor? What role
do the chemicals that give them their flavor