Spice up your life
As we move towards the end of 2021 and the days (at least, in the Northern Hemisphere) become colder, wetter and darker, there is nothing quite like a well-made drink to raise your spirits, and as it gets chillier, sweet spiced flavours can give that extra cosy touch.
Sweet spices, or at least the ones that we know today, have not always been available in the Western world, but were brought by merchants on the ‘Spice Routes’ from Asia. Over the following centuries, spices became an important part of the geo-political environment. Prices fluctuated wildly, but spices were typically reserved for the elite of the day. For example, in the 15th century, the price of nutmeg was so high that it was worth more than its weight in gold. Even today, spices such as vanilla, cardamom and saffron are
