The dramatic search for spices through history, and how the pursuit of
rare flavors changed and opened up our world
Spices have been highly valued since at least the Bronze Age, with the
so-called Spice Trade, spanning Asia to the Mediterranean, developing
from the late centuries BC. By the first century AD, Roman society spent
vast sums fueling their demand for spices, importing black pepper from
India and other exotics from further afield. Importing spices from the
east was a daunting and dangerous task, whether by ship across the
Indian Ocean, a perilous round journey of many months, or by caravan
overland along the myriad routings of the Silk Road, or other trade
routes. The search for spices in the 15th and 16th centuries led to
Columbus' discovery of America (and the discovery of chili in Cuba and
Hispaniola); Vasco da Gama's proving of the route to India around the
coast of Africa; and Magellan's discovery of the western route to the
Spice Islands.
This comprehensive book both reviews spices and their histories of uses,
botanical descriptions and classifications, as well as delving into the
trade routes and importance of spice through history in driving global
events.
