Condiment
A condiment is a spice, sauce or other food preperation that is added to foods to impart a particular flavor, enhance its flavor,[1] or in some cultures, to complement the dish. The term originally described pickled or preserved foods, but has shifted meaning over time.[2]
Many condiments are available packaged in single-serving sachets (packets), like mustard or ketchup, particularly when supplied with take-out or fast-food meals. Condiments are usually applied by the diner. Condiments are sometimes added prior to serving, for example a sandwich made with ketchup or mustard. Some condiments are used during cooking to add flavor or texture to the food; barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, marmite are examples.
The term condiment comes from the Latin condimentum, meaning "spice, seasoning, sauce" and from the Latin condere, meaning "preserve, pickle, season".[3]
Contents
Definition[edit]
The exact definition of what is and isn't a condiment varies. Some definitions include spice and herbs, including salt and pepper,[4] using the term interchangeably with seasoning.[5] Others restrict the definition to including only "prepared food compound[s], containing one or more spices", which are added to food after the cooking process, such as mustard, ketchup or mint sauce.[6]
History[edit]
Condiments were known in Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece and Ancient China, and were often used to improve the taste of spoiling food; before food preservation techniques were widespread, pungent spices and condiments were used to make the food more palatable.[7] The Romans made the condiments garum and liquamen by crushing and fermenting in salt with the meat of various fish, leading to a flourishing condiment industry.[8] Apicius, a cookbook based on 4th and 5th century cuisine, contains a section based solely on condiments.[9]
List of condiments[edit]
Gallery[edit]
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Ajika, spicy sauce in Caucasian cuisine
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Tkemali (Georgian sauce made of sour cherry plums)
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Common Chinese condiments: soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, white pepper
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Packets of duck sauce
See also[edit]
References & sources[edit]
References[edit]
Sources[edit]
- "Collins: Definition Condiment". Collins Dictionary. n.d. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- Farrell, K. T. (1990). Spices, Condiments and Seasonings (2nd ed.). MA, USA: Aspen Publishers. p. 291. ISBN 9780834213371.
- "Merriam-Webster: Definition of condiment". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- Nealon, Tom (7 September 2010). "De Condimentis". HiLobrow. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- Smith, Andrew F. (May 1, 2007). The Oxford companion to American food and drink. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-530796-2. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
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