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Bartlett Library patrons learn about different spices

On Monday, Oct. 24, Bartlett Library patrons immersed themselves in many different spices during the program "Spices of India."

Presenter Kevin Bozis from The Spice House brought with him a myriad of spices for patrons to look at, smell and even taste.

The program opened up with patrons going to a table filled with jars of spices, which weren't labeled. Each patron got the chance to guess what jar contained what spice. The patron with the most correct answers received a $25 gift certificate for The Spice House.

Once all the guesses were rounded up, Bozis took the time to explain what specific spices were in each of the jars. He opened the jars up and passed them around so patrons could smell the aromas of each one, and if they wanted to they could even take one to taste.

The spices were:

1. Coriander

2. Black pepper

3. Green cardamom

4. Cumin

5. Charnushka

6. Ginger root

7. Cinnamon

8. Cassia buds

9. Cloves

10. Nutmeg

And once all of the individual spices were passed around, Bozis brought out a bag and said that it contained garam masala, which is an Indian blend of all the 10 spices that he passed around when they get put together.

Overall, Bozis explained that the best place to grow spices is about 50 miles north and south of the equator. Spices need heat and humidity in order to grow.

Bozis also advised that spices are going to be good for six months to a year.

"So, when you look at the big businesses that mass produce spices, they could have them sitting around for six months, then they're on the grocery store shelves for another six months, then on your shelf for a month," Bozis said. "It doesn't add up."

Some other things to consider when dealing with spices:

• Avoid heat, air and light (once they've been ground)

• The best place to put spices is in a cabinet that is away from the stove

If you missed this program, an upcoming Adult Services program is "Lights Out, Everybody: Mystery and Horror During the Golden Age of Radio" on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Radio historian Steve Darnall uses sound clips from some of radio's best known mystery and horror programs to illustrate how radio could truly be a "Theater of the mind" and use music, voices and sounds to create indelible - and often frightening - "pictures."

For more information and a complete listing of scheduled programs, call 630.837.2855 or visit www.bartlettlibrary.org.

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