Who is Crusaders from On Food and Cooking and what is their importance?

The Crusaders brought an entirely new world of foods and spices to Europe. European traders were brought into contact with the Middle East through the Crusaders. Mediterranean flavorings were already in use, but these were quickly replaced by exotic spices and herbs such as cinnamon, ginger and almonds. The Crusaders also brought cloth sieves, consume, and solid jelly to Europe, greatly expanding the way in which food was cooked.