By Tim Lambert
Early Condiments
Since ancient times people have used condiments to enhance their food. The first condiment was salt. Salt has always been used both as a preservative and to enhance the flavor of food. Vinegar has also been used since ancient times. Its name is probably derived from the French words vin aiger meaning sour wine. (Vinegar was used as a medicine as well as a food).
The Romans liked condiments and they made many sauces for their food. One of the most common was a fish sauce called liquamen. The Romans also grew mustard and they introduced it into the parts of Europe they conquered. They also made mint sauce.
In the Middle Ages mustard was a popular condiment in Europe. At first, English mustard consisted of coarse powder and it was not very strong. However, in 1720 Mrs. Clements of Durham began making a much smoother mustard powder. When mixed with water to make paste it was very hot but it proved to be popular and Durham became a center of the mustard industry. (For centuries mustard was used as a medicine as well as a food).
In the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, new condiments were invented. Pesto sauce was invented in 16th century Italy.
Furthermore, new sauces were invented in the 17th century including bechamel and chasseur. Chutney comes from India. It was first exported to England in the 17th century. Soy sauce, which was invented in China reached Europe in the 17th century and by the mid-18th century, it was popular in Britain.
According to one story, a French chef first made mayonnaise in 1756. However, there are many stories about where it comes from. Hollandaise sauce was also first recorded in the mid-18th century. Ketchup began life as a Chinese fish sauce called ke-tsiap. The name was gradually changed to ketchup and in Britain, people added other ingredients instead of fish. In the 18th century, they began adding tomatoes. Sauces similar to tartar sauce were made in the Middle Ages but ‘modern’ tartar sauce was first made in the 1800s.
Modern Condiments
In the 19th century with the Industrial Revolution condiments began to be mass-produced in factories. Tomato ketchup was a bestseller and HP sauce was invented at the end of the 19th century. Meanwhile, Worcester sauce was invented in 1835 by John Lea and William Perrins. Horseradish sauce went on sale in bottles in the USA around 1860. Tabasco sauce was invented by Edmund McIlhenry in 1868. Salad cream was invented in 1914.
As well as sauces people have also looked for ways to sweeten their food. Since the time of the Ancient Egyptians and probably before people have kept bees for honey. Over the centuries honey was very valuable and it was sometimes used as a currency or it was given as a tribute to a conqueror. Since ancient times people have also made an alcoholic drink called mead from honey.
Sugar cane first grew in South Asia. Later the Arabs and Europeans grew sugar cane. At the end of the 15th century sugar cane was taken to the New World. Sugar was first made from sugar beet by a German chemist called Andreas Marggraf in 1747. Saccharine was invented in 1879 by Constantin Fahlberg.
Last revised 2024