Aims
This course aims to:
• investigate esculent tastes and economically important plants
• discover world trade routes built on food and drink for sustenance and fashion
• introduce the explorers and traders who found, identified and collected these plants
Content
We start with the Ancient World where they sought comfort and luxury, clothes and draperies, cotton was also used to make paper in Egypt and armour in South America. The two Silk Routes – one overland across Asia, the other sailing around its coasts and that of East Africa. What about its actual production? Bombyx mori larvae are fed on white mulberry leaves, secreting raw silk fibres as they develop which are harvested and woven. The commercial growing of and trading in both rubber and sugar has a shocking history which we will examine. The development of humanity is inextricably linked with understanding what grows around you, for example, collecting grass seeds as grain, selecting the fattest seeds for resowing, gradually creating cereal crops. Through experimentation unpalatable raw ingredients were transformed into foodstuffs. We will experiment with our ability to recognise trees, flowers and plants by walking around the gardens of Selwyn College and the Sidgwick Site – why are there no fruits on the Gingko? We then turn our focus to the development of medicinal plants, many still used in their natural form and many synthesised to make life saving drugs. One survivor from Gondwanaland is the Eucalyptus of which most are native only to Australasia. Its ability to drain ground and exude a mosquito-deterring scent transformed the ports of S.E. Asia. Conversely cane sugar has a despicable history, its modern consumption has serious side-effects on the world’s health. Lastly, we can relax at the prospect of refreshing tea, black or green, with or without milk, or enjoy a cup of coffee which reputedly has the same positive effects on our cognitive performance as 20 minutes exercising – to be discussed! Finally, the food of the gods, Theobroma, cocoa which in its dark form is highly recommended.
Presentation of the course
PowerPoint lectures will provide detailed illustrations of each plant, active participation is encouraged, raising questions and discussions form an integral part of the course. Where possible plants, contemporary and relevant books, and articles will be provided daily.
Course sessions
1. Introduction – Assyria, Egypt, India, China, South America – cotton, silk and rubber
We search for the earliest mention of usage for each plant, the continental and ocean trade routes that were established. How they were and are grown, how they have changed the world with special reference to Brazil and rubber. What is their contemporary role?
2. Staple fare - rice, wheat and potatoes not forgetting maize
We delve into their origins and the legends that surround these key foodstuffs. We trace their political and social journeys as food for the world. Arguably maize is of lesser importance but it remains a key fodder crop, and delicious in its hybrid guise of sweet corn. Intensive production leads to pests and diseases, we will examine the devastating Colorado Beetle.
3. Field trip around the landscape of Selwyn College and the Sidgwick site
A chance to identify ornamental flowers and leaves some of which can cure or poison as well as fruits benefitting from the site’s microclimate. We will go into the chapel to find the symbolic flowers decorating the interior.
4. A spoonful of sugar? Nature’s medicines – papaver, cinchona, artemisia and eucalyptus
Where would world medicine be without opiates? Use of the Papaver somniferous goes back to earliest records, subterfuge and smuggling of Cinchona finally enabled the availability of quinine and the invention of tonic water. Medicinal stories develop interwoven with our addiction to sweeteners and their deleterious effects.
5. Pot or cup, milk or sugar - tea, coffee and cocoa
The quest for these prized drinks and flavourings takes us from China and Japan to South America; from Ethiopia to Indonesia and Costa Rica; and from the Aztecs and the Amazon rainforest to West Africa. We discuss the roles of tea ceremonies and coffee houses not forgetting chocolate fountains.
Learning outcomes
You are expected to gain from this series of classroom sessions a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course.
• gaining an insight into growing and harvesting familiar (and unfamiliar) crops
• recognising plants whose virtues could be classed as curative ‘wonders’
• understanding the importance of protecting key areas from over production
