Condiment
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (March 2015) |
A condiment is a spice, sauce, or preparation that is added to food, after cooking, to impart a specific flavor, to enhance the flavor,[1] or to complement the dish. A table condiment or table sauce is more specifically a condiment that is served separately from the food and is added to taste by the diner.
Condiments are sometimes added prior to serving, for example, in a sandwich made with ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise. Some condiments are used during cooking to add flavor or texture: barbecue sauce, compound butter, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, Marmite and sour cream are examples.
Many condiments, such as mustard or ketchup, are available in single-serving packets, commonly when supplied with take-out or fast-food meals.
Definition[]
The exact definition of a condiment varies. Some definitions encompass spices and herbs, including salt and pepper,[2] using the term interchangeably with seasoning.[3] Others restrict the definition to include 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.[3] Cheese may also be considered a condiment where it is used as an ingredient in another food, such as Mozzarella on pizza or cheese in a cheeseburger.[4]
Etymology[]
The term condiment comes from the Latin condimentum, meaning "spice, seasoning, sauce" and from the Latin condire, meaning "preserve, pickle, season".[5] The term originally described pickled or preserved foods, but its meaning has changed over time.[6]
History[]
Condiments were known in Ancient Rome, Ancient India, Ancient Greece and Ancient China. There is a myth that before food preservation techniques were widespread, pungent spices and condiments were used to make the food more palatable,[7] but this claim is not supported by any evidence or historical record.[8] The Romans made the condiments garum and liquamen by crushing the innards of various fish and then fermenting them in salt, resulting in a liquid containing glutamic acid, suitable for enhancing the flavor of food. This process would lead to a flourishing condiment industry.[5] Apicius, a cookbook based on fourth and fifth century cuisine, contains a section based solely on condiments.[5]
List of condiments[]
Market in the United States[]
In the United States, the market for condiments was US$5.6 billion in 2010 and is estimated to grow to US$7 billion by 2015.[9] The condiment market is the second largest in specialty foods behind that of cheese.[9]
Gallery[]
Dijon mustard
Chrain (horseradish sauce)
Mayonnaise
Tomato Ketchup
Pesto genovese
Chutneys
Curry powder or paste
Ajika, spicy sauce in Caucasian cuisine
Tkemali (Georgian sauce made of sour cherry plums)
Common Chinese condiments: soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, white pepper
Packets of duck sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Acar and sambal, the common condiments in Indonesia
Sriracha (type of Hot sauce)
Shichimi
Wasabi
See also[]
- Condiments by country (category)
- Dip
- Garnish
- List of fish sauces – Wikipedia list article
- List of foods
- List of mustard brands – Wikipedia list article
- Non-brewed condiment – malt vinegar substitute
- Seasoning
- Herb – In general rather than botanical use, plant used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume
- Spice – Vegetable substance other than leaves primarily used for flavoring, coloring or preserving food
- Relish – Cooked, pickled, or chopped vegetable or fruit used as a condiment
- Pickling – Procedure of preserving food in brine or vinegar
- Ingredient
References[]
Citations[]
- ^ Merriam-Webster: Definition of condiment
- ^ Collins: Definition Condiment
- ^ Jump up to: a b Farrell, p. 291
- ^ "Condiment - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Nealon
- ^ Smith, pp. 144–146
- ^ Farrell, p. 297
- ^ According to Paul Freedman, the idea is presented as a fact even by some modern scholars, despite the lack of any credible support; Freedman (2008), pp. 3–4
- ^ Jump up to: a b Sax, David (October 7, 2010). "Spreading the Love". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
Sources[]
- "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.
- Condiments