This is such a fascinating look at how spices emigrate, come back home, and find new modes of expression! It reminds me of trying to explain to my non-Irish friends how we now have *three* different types of bacon for breakfast. John Mulcahys quest for an Irish food compendium sounds utterly essential – you never know when youll need to defend the existence of spam on a breakfast roll! And that spice bag story? Brilliant! Seriously, though, a compendium sounds like a labor of love worthy of a James Beard nomination itself. High five to John for tackling such a flavorful project!