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The Spice Trade
It is difficult today for us to imagine, but spices
were once as valuable as gold. This is because the food
in medieval Europe was very different to that we are used
to today. Many of our commonest foods actually originally
in Asia, Africa, or America – so were unavailable to
most Europeans at the time of Columbus.
Imagine a world without the following food items. How
many of your favorite foods could you make without them?
Spices
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Sugar |
Sugar is belived to have originated in Asia.
It was eventually cultivated in Turkey, and was
first encountered by Europeans during the
crusades. Prior to big sugar plantations being
established in the New World, sugar was extremely
rare and expensive in Europe. |
Pepper |
Pepper originated in Asia. Small quantities
of pepper arrived in Europe during the Middle
Ages via Arab traders. Like most commodities
brought into Europe from Asia in the Middle Ages,
it was extremely rare and expensive. |
Cinnamon |
Cinnamon originated in South East Asia,
although related species also grow in South
America. Prior to the opening up of a sea-route
between Europe and Asia, small quantities of
cinnamon had been imported into europe via Arab
traders in the Middle East. However, it was very
rare and very expensive. |
Nutmug |
Nutmeg originated in the Dutch East Indies
(Indonesia). It was introduced to Europe by Dutch
traders in the 17th century. |
Cloves |
Cloves also originated in the Dutch East
Indies (Indonesia), and were mostly unknown to
Europeans prior to the 17th century. |
Vanilla |
Vanilla originated in Latin America, with
related species in Asia. It was unknown to most
Europeans in the Middle Ages. |
Ginger |
Ginger originated in Asia. It was known to
Europeans during the Middle Ages because small
quantities had been imported via Arab traders
– but it was also extremely expensive |
In addition to spices, a number of
other common foods and beverages were also unknown to
most Europeans. These included:
Other Foods and Beverages
|
Corn |
Corn originated in the New World, and was
grown extensively in Mexico and the Southern
United States. It was unknown to Europeans during
the Middle Ages. |
Tomatoes |
Tomatoes originated in South
America, and were unknown to medieval Europeans. |
Potatoes |
Potatoes also originated in South
America. They were first brought to Europe in the
16th and 17th centuries (notably by Sir Walter
Raleigh, who introduced them into Ireland). |
Cocoa and Chocolate |
Cocoa (used to make chocolate) originated in
South America, and was first discovered by
Europeans during the conquest of the Aztecs in
Mexico. Cocoa was used extensively by South
American Indians, including those in Amaz⌠nia. |
Coffee |
Coffee originated in Africa and
Arabia. It became known to Europeans travelling
in the Middle East during the Crusade, but didn't
become popular until later. Small quantities were
imported into Europe, but it was originally very
expensive because of the great distance that it
had to be transported. |
Tea |
Tea originated in Asia. It was
introduced to Europe in the 17th century by the
Dutch. |
Bananas |
Bananas originated in Asia. The
plants were soon introduced into the New World
where they were quickly established, and were
readily planted by both Europeans and Indians |
Pineapple |
Pineapples originated in the New World and
were unknown prior to Columbus' voyage |
As result of the lack of spices, and
with little variety to choose from, meals in Europe (and
especially Northern Europe) were very bland and boring.
Cabbage and turnips were probably the commonest
vegetables. And, without refrigerators or freezers, meat
was either rancid or heavily salted. As such, rare spices
were highly valued as a way to make meals more
interesting and to improve the taste.
Prior to Columbus' discovery of the New World and the
Portuguese discovery of the sea-route to Asia, spices
were generally imported from Asia along trade-routes
overland, across the Middle East (controlled by the Arab
Traders), then across the Mediteranean in ships owned by
Venetian merchants. The entire journey could sometimes
take several years, and the goods changed hands many
times, making them extremely expensive by the time that
they made it to the marketplaces of Europe.
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