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Early Portuguese Exploration
Christopher Columbus
Pedro Cabral

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
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.