Do Amish People Eat Spices Like Pepper, Curry, or Cumin?

Yes, Amish people do use spices in their cooking, including common spices like pepper, curry, and cumin. While the Amish lifestyle emphasizes simplicity and traditional practices, their cuisine often incorporates a variety of flavors. However, the use of spices can vary among different Amish communities, with some preferring milder flavors and others embracing a wider range of seasonings.

Spice Use in Amish Cuisine

Similar to other cuisines, the Amish use spices to add depth and complexity to their dishes. Unlike the elaborate spice blends often found in international cuisines, Amish culinary practices tend to be more straightforward. This is particularly true when it comes to home-cooked meals, where simplicity and frugality are key values.

Spice-Infused Dishes

The Amish often prepare dishes using traditional spices such as pepper, which they simmer in water, vinegar, and a little sugar and salt. This type of pickled pepper is common and consumed with potato chips. There is also a special pickle called picalillie made with sweet peppers, mildly hot Hungarian yellow peppers, cucumbers, vinegar, water, sugar, and salt, which is enjoyed by the Amish.

Adaptation to Different Spices

The Amish generally do not grow up with an extensive exposure to spices like curry leaf, cardamom, or cumin. While some Amish individuals have tried or even enjoyed foods such as Indian cuisine, it is uncommon for them to cook such dishes at home due to the complexity and cost.

Amish Menu and Staples

For Amish households, food tends to be simple and cost-effective. Many families rely on frozen meats from nearby companies and preserve them in their freezers until needed. Traditional meals often include:

White factory-made bread Potato dumplings made with flour, baking powder, and vegetable shortening Gravy made with chicken broth and flour Thick noodles made from flour and egg Soup with thick egg noodles, bits of chicken, carrots, celery, and potatoes

These dishes are prepared with the intent of using readily available, affordable ingredients to create hearty, soul-warming meals. Meat is often stewed and cooked for hours to make it more tender, or it can be served in tough, flavor-packed stews with homemade dumplings.

Adoption of Health Foods

Occasionally, you might find an Amish person who has adopted health-conscious foods. Such individuals may use whole wheat flour, honey, and other natural ingredients in place of conventional white sugar, further adapting their cooking practices to align with modern health trends.

The Amish embrace traditions and simplicity, but their approach to using spices is uniquely influenced by their cultural preferences and resourcefulness. While some spices like pepper are commonly used, others are less prevalent in their cooking.