Photo by NEOSiAM 2021

Spice has played a significant role in the history of the world. It’s been used as currency, medicine, and food preservation for more than 7,000 years. These natural ingredients come from seeds, roots, barks, and flowers of plants that provide different colors, aromas, and flavors to our dishes.

Spice has been used for centuries to add flavor to food due to its unique sensory characteristics. The word “spice” originated from the Latin word “species,” which meant items of special value worthy of trade or commerce. The spice trade started in the Middle East in 3000 BCE when traders from China, India, and other regions traveled along the Silk Road to exchange commodities. Spices were traded for gold, ivory, and precious stones with western countries being the primary marketplace.

Cinnamon was one of the most valuable spices traded in ancient times. It was said to be worth its weight in gold and has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, it was used for embalming mummies. In ancient times, wars were fought over control of spice trade routes as spices were generally very rare commodities that could only be obtained from limited resources at specific times of the year.

The spice trade has played a significant role in shaping the global economy over the last 2,000 years. The travels of Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama brought many new spices to Europe from Asia and Africa during the 15th and 16th centuries. The move towards new trade routes signaled significant geopolitical shifts in power dynamics as economic empires rose and fell under the pressure of mercantilism.

The medieval spice trade was built primarily on overland transport that traversed huge swaths of Asia to reach European markets on foot or camelback. Arab traders set up scattered outposts along well-established trade routes which became hubs for spice collection and trade. One of the largest spice markets in the world was the silk road, which connected major empires across three continents – Europe, Asia, and Africa.

During this time, the Spice islands (modern-day Indonesia) and other areas near the equator became key centers of the spice trade. They had a monopoly on spices like cloves and nutmeg that Europeans had become obsessed with due to their rarity and unique flavor. European colonizers were keen to find new sources of spice that would allow them to break the monopoly that regional players like Arabs, Venetians, and Genoese had established.

Trade over sea routes gradually supplanted overland trade. Arab traders had already begun using maritime trading networks by the 11th century, but Europeans were late bloomers in the exchange. In 1498, Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sea. This was a watershed moment in the history of the spice trade, as European colonizers realized they could bypass traditional overland routes and directly access Asian spice sources.

By providing new sea transport capabilities for spices from Asia and Europe to meet in port cities like Amsterdam, Lisbon, and London, maritime routes transformed the ancient spice trade. As demand for new spices grew, merchants became more competitive – leading to lower prices and better quality. This period also saw significant innovation in maritime transport, with robust sailing technology being developed to move goods faster and more economically than before.

The importance of spices as food preservatives was also recognized during the middle ages. People believed that spicy foods helped fight infections and preserved food from spoilage by its antimicrobial properties and ability to mask unpleasant tastes.

Today, spices still play an essential role in cuisines worldwide. They are used to add unique flavors to dishes, make food more appealing visually, give different textures and to create contrasting sensations on people’s palates. Spices are used whether in home cooking or international restaurant menus, they are also widely used in the food manufacturing industry as natural flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, and colorants.

Spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger are also well-known for their medicinal properties. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory that has been linked to cancer prevention, while cinnamon has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels. Many cultures worldwide use spices as home remedies for healing and general wellness.

While their use has increased tenfold over the last century, spices are still largely unexplored in terms of what they can offer us. Scientists have found that some spices can be used in plants protection for crops, as a pest repellent and fungus eliminator among other uses while still maintaining the integrity of soil health.

The importance of the spice trade is enormous when it comes to the evolution of trade around the world. Spice provides flavor, color, and medicinal value to our diet in a way that is unmatched by any other ingredient. The historical significance of spice is evident when tracing centuries of trade between ancient civilizations over land and sea routes. The vast diversity of spices today promises an exciting exploration into culinary art and scientific research that can still benefit humanity while renewing our appreciation for these natural gifts from nature.