In medieval times the nobility discovered a taste for fragrant spices from the east and added flavors to their banquets which were the envy of others. Besides being consumed within food, spices were bestowed as gifts, like gems and collected like valuable objects. The annals of history tell stories of great explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus who set sail in search of this new found treasure and to form alliances with princes of the orient. Today we add herbs and spices to meals that pay homage to our palate and to satisfy the new found explorer within us when creating that special dish within the kitchen.