by Marina Rybak
I seldom leave home without an intake of cinnamon, I am faithfully in love with mustard seeds and lately I cannot live without ginger. But I am casually forgetful about the fact that my pink peppercorns, cloves and nutmeg, stored in my kitchen cupboard hold a script to our human destiny. Who we are and where we are today has been determined in most part by our ancient, aromatic history – the history of the spice trade.
At some point of our evolution innocent and unbiased spice was valued more precious than gold, was used as a currency and was regarded as unattainable luxury. In its pursuit, it has caused the civilizations to rise and perish, the new continents to be revealed, the lands to be discovered, religions to spread and the fortunes to be made.
When Europeans uncovered the aphrodisiac qualities of spices, they went totally mad, turning the world on its head. Stirred-up passions (and not of a romantic kind) threw our joint history into a total frenzy. It is mind-boggling concept to comprehend that the island I call home now – Manhattan was traded and exchanged for a bit of nutmeg. How times have changed!
As a designer I am infatuated with an exotic spice palette and have frequently integrated it into my work. I also enjoy focusing on eclectic, diverse sources of inspiration and recently I was on my own spice quest, which led me to La Boîte.
An art gallery and a spice shop, located at 724 11th Avenue, in Hell’s Kitchen is the domain of the Spice Master Blender Lior Lev Sercarz. The creator of La Boite A Biscuits and La Boite A Epices , pastries and spice collections is an Israeli-born, French-schooled chef, writer, explorer and a lover of fine arts.
Collaborating with the culinary stars, he created a series of spice blends for the public, a personal poetic, emotional journey and a sensory initiation into the spice myths. And twice a year Sercarz engages with the artists to develop an exclusive line of sweet and savory biscuits, while presenting the art on the walls of his gallery shop.
On my visit to the store a lovely assistant to the spice “alchemist” accompanied me. I spotted familiar art on the walls by Philadelphia-based artist Jim Houser, whose solo exhibit at LeVine Gallery is also on view. The Zen-like space was permeating with pungent aromas of fabled Grand Bazaars and the legendary Silk Road. A Spice Collection was stacked like the colorful paint jars. It exuded an allure, as if the finest Nose, the master perfumer, concocted it. And in a way it was the case. And of course, I could not depart without the darkest, pepper-rich chocolate bar, the ultimate aphrodisiac of them all.
So if you ever want to experience an intoxicating trip without updating your passport just choose one La Boîte spice jar and open it. The adventure has just begun.
