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Portuguese influence on Indian cuisine
Indian cuisine should perhaps be more accurately referred to in the plural: there are so many regional differences, from seafood-heavy...
Spencer Low
Jan 1, 20212 min read


Portuguese influence on Southeast Asian cuisines
The Portuguese introduced ingredients to the Asia palate that some would consider to be fundamental today. What would Thai food be like...
Spencer Low
Dec 26, 20201 min read


Japanese words of Portuguese origin
Although the Japanese became more deeply familiar with the Dutch language (Western knowledge was called 蘭学 rangaku or "Dutch studies"),...
Spencer Low
Dec 11, 20202 min read


Thai words of Portuguese origin
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to make contact with the Kingdom of Siam more than 500 years ago in 1511. In 1518 was signed the...
Spencer Low
Nov 28, 20201 min read


So what? Why this history still matters today
Interesting as it may be, the influence that the Portuguese exerted in Asia so many centuries ago is often relegated to the introductory...
Spencer Low
Nov 7, 20201 min read


Decline & displacement
Portugal was united with Spain in 1580 by virtue of sharing the same king in the person of Philip (Filipe I in Portuguese). The Spanish...
Spencer Low
Nov 7, 20201 min read


The Portuguese in Southeast Asia
Starting with the conquest of Malacca, the Portuguese finally found in Southeast Asia the source of the spices they were looking for.
Spencer Low
Nov 3, 20201 min read


Why the Portuguese went East
I intend to explore this topic through four perspectives: What were the political drivers for what was a costly national undertaking? Was...
Spencer Low
Nov 1, 20201 min read


The Portuguese in India
In their quest for spices, Europeans raced to be the first to reach India. The Portuguese won, but this was merely the start of their...
Spencer Low
Oct 17, 20201 min read


The Portuguese in China
While China long had contact with Europe through the Silk Road, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to show up by sea. And they...
Spencer Low
Oct 17, 20201 min read


The Portuguese in Japan
Arriving from southern China, the Portuguese were called "Southern Barbarians" (南蛮) by the Japanese. These barbarians brought lucrative...
Spencer Low
Oct 17, 20201 min read
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