9 unknown Facts about Sauce

Sauce has a long and rich history that spans across different cultures and time periods. Here are some historical facts about sauce:

1. Ancient Greeks and Romans were known for their love of sauces. They used sauces to enhance the flavors of their meals, and even created a separate course for them called “gustum” in Latin.
2. In the Middle Ages, sauces were often used to mask the flavor of spoiled meat. Sauces were also used to add flavor to bland and unappetizing food.
3. The French are known for their mastery of sauce-making. In the 19th century, Auguste Escoffier, a French chef, classified sauces into five “mother sauces”: béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato.
4. Soy sauce is believed to have originated in China more than 2,500 years ago. It was originally made by fermenting soybeans with salt and other ingredients.
5. Ketchup, a popular condiment today, has a long history that can be traced back to ancient China. The original ketchup was made from pickled fish and spices.
6. Worcestershire sauce was created in the early 19th century by two chemists in Worcester, England, who were trying to recreate a sauce they had tasted in India.
7. Hot sauce, which is made from chili peppers, has been a popular condiment in Mexico and Central America for centuries. The Aztecs and Mayans used chili peppers in their cooking, and the tradition continues today.
8. Barbecue sauce, which is a staple of Southern cuisine in the United States, has its roots in the Caribbean. The original barbecue sauce was made from a mixture of vinegar, peppers, and spices.
9. In modern times, sauce-making has become a science, with chefs using techniques like molecular gastronomy to create new and innovative sauces.

Overall, the history of sauce is a reflection of the evolution of human cuisine and the creativity and ingenuity of chefs and cooks throughout the ages.