Seasoning
A condiment (from the Latin condimentum, and this from condire, 'to season') is an ingredient or mixture of ingredients that is used to flavor food. Examples include salt, mustard, pepper, paprika, ketchup, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, sambal, piccalilli, general spices, marinades, olive oil, vinegar, and sugar. Seasonings are essentially ingredients intended to intensify or strengthen the flavor of dishes. Often strong in flavor and therefore included in small quantities, they are very popular. The strong influence, interchangeability, and mutual reinforcement of seasonings on the main ingredients of a meal provide the cook with many dish possibilities. Seasonings include: sauces, herb and spice blends, oils, and dressings. Spice blends, spreads, marinades (dry and wet), and brine blends are also included in seasonings.
History
Seasonings were known in Ancient Rome, Ancient India, Ancient Greece, and Ancient China. There is a myth that before food preservation techniques became widespread, spicy spices and seasonings were used to make food more flavorful, but this claim is not supported by any historical evidence or records. The Romans made garum and liquamen seasonings by crushing the entrails of various fish and then fermenting them in salt, resulting in a liquid containing glutamic acid, suitable for enhancing the flavor of food. The popularity of these sauces gave rise to a flourishing condiment industry. De re coquinaria, a cookbook written around the 4th and 5th centuries, contains a section based solely on seasonings.
Features
According to a European Union directive, the following are considered condiments: salt intended for human consumption, mustard, spices and their aromatic extracts, aromatic herbs and their extracts.
Often applied by the diner, seasonings often have the consistency of a thick liquid (sauce or paste) and are served from a bottle, jar or bowl. They can also be dry, as is the case with spice mixes or grated Parmesan cheese Some condiments, such as mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise, are available packaged in individual packets, especially when served at take-out or fast-food outlets.
Condiments are sometimes added before the dish is served, such as sandwiches that use ketchup or mustard. Some seasonings can be used during preparation to add flavor or texture to the dish, such as barbecue, teriyaki and soy sauce, used to enhance the flavor of various meats and vegetables.
In countries like Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, the thick liquid dressing used to season meats is known as "recado".