The Spice Trade through Time
Most Americans learn about the exploits of Christopher Columbus in grade school – he stubbornly insisted that the world was round and that he could find a clear path to the Indies by sailing West from Europe. Still, it seems almost inconceivable that people would spend so much money and expend so much effort in an attempt to secure spices. The spice trade remains crucial in today’s society, but we take it largely for granted.
During the Age of Discovery, which began shortly after the Renaissance and continued through the 17th century, silks, spices and perfumes fetched vast amounts of money in the Western market. That’s because so few of the garments, food preservatives and women’s designer perfume that were in high demand could be found locally – either in Europe or the new world. Those items were mostly found in the Orient, and so traders and explorers like Marco Polo traveled east and brought back fantastical tales along with the valuable wares.