Past exhibitions

Spices

Their smell is beguiling, their color of magical luminosity, and some burn on the tongue like fire! Exotic spices add flavor, pungency and color to our dishes. The exhibition tells the eventful history of the spice trade, describes the importance of exotic spices in medicine and pharmacy, and reports on spice habits from around the world.

Spices were once among the most precious commodities in the world. They were the reason why continents were conquered and wars started. As status symbols, they were a sign of their owner's wealth. As remedies and drugs, they alleviated the suffering of the sick or intoxicated the healthy. Spices have a varied history.

Current topics such as artificial flavors, e.g. vanillin, or the trendy spice chili will also be highlighted. A selection of over 50 spices will be available for tasting.

A special role is played by saffron from the municipality of Mund in Valais.

Spices are processed by crushing and grinding with the simple technique of pounding. The showpiece of the exhibition is the 130-year-old tamper of the Zug company J. Carl Fridlin Gewürze AG.

The most important spices cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, ginger and Co. get a detailed portrait. The taste components "hot" and "bitter" require courageous people to test them. Finally, everyone takes their own nose and tests it for olfactory ability. Vanilla or vanillin? Clove pepper or clove? The one who tastes wins!