A Wealth in Spices

Question 2: Explain the ways in which the desire by European monarchies / governments to control the spice trade changed world history. 


Today most people only think of spices when they open up a random drawer in their kitchen to make cooking a little bit more exciting. Spices are not seen as particularly precious commodities. Rather, it is entirely normal to put spices in the majority of our food. 

Several hundred years ago, this was not the case. First discovered in the eastern part of the world, the spice trade was dominated by Arab merchants in the 7th century and later on by the Romans. However, after the Roman empire fell, spices decreased in popularity. 

It wasn't until the Christian crusades that Europe rediscovered their taste for spices between 1095 and 1275. It was the spice trade that stimulated the Age of Discovery, prompting European explorers to travel further than ever before because Western Europe did not want to depend on non-Christian traders for their spices. Explorers searched for their own sea route to the Indies - especially the infamous Spice Islands. 

The Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama

Christopher Columbus and Vasco de Gama were the most successful explorers during this time, and they are still still the most famous today. While Columbus headed in the direction of the Americas, de Gama is known as the first European to sail around Africa to India - a very dangerous trip. 

Vasco de Gama's first route

The Portuguese rapidly expanded their spice trade after de Gama made it to India, finding huge economic success. As Portuguese explorers returned to Europe, the price of pepper in Lisbon dropped to one-fifth that in Venice. While the Portuguese dominated the spice trade for many years, Spain, Holland, and Britain were also important players in the global spice trade. During the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries these countries fought Portugal for control of the Spice Islands. Ultimately, the Dutch took control of the spice trade in the 17th century. 

In conclusion, spices were crucial when it came to the expansion of trade routes and the discovery of new continents. Spices facilitated colonization of the East, the Americas and much more. Spices were key to development and they are still hugely important to culinary traditions all over the world today. Just think about it...what's your favorite dish? What spices does it include?

Fun fact:
Today, the most widely used spice in the world is the peppercorn. Here is a link to an article with some surprising facts about pepper. You won't believe some of them! For example, peppercorns were used as currency at one point in history!   

Photo citations: 
Photo 1: http://st.houzz.com/simgs/81c15ac30d85fdef_4-9666/traditional-cabinet-and-drawer-organizers.jpg
Photo 2: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Vasco_da_Gama_-_1838.png
Photo 3: https://s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/71/aa/4b/71aa4bfc4ca010cb379cd7e89fa68f60.jpg