It is an interesting feature of world cuisine that many of the spices that are synonymous with particular cuisines did not originate in the area and are often not even grown there today.
This is because spices were the first global commodity and continue to be one of the most important and largest markets in the world today.
Spice Trade Started in Prehistoric Times
By the time that man started writing down what he was doing, spices were already an important part of daily life and were being carried around the known world.
Black pepper, "the king of spices," originated in the mountains of Southern Indian and is known to have been as far away as Northern Europe over 2,000 years ago. The money from the pepper trade literally built the ancient cities of Istanbul, Venice and Genoa (and later the New World city of Salam, Massachusetts.)
Lemongrass, so important to Chinese and Japanese dishes, grows in the hot tropics.
Chili peppers, found so often in the dishes of India and Africa were unknown in this part of the world -- completely -- before 1492. They are New World plants that were brought back by the early explorers. Today, India is the world's leading producer of many chilies.
Why Did the Spice Trade Originate in the First Place
Why people would want spice is probably no mystery to most people. Spice makes a large part of our life more enjoyable.
But how the spice trade originated -- and why -- is a bit more involved.
There are notable exceptions, but most spices grow in the tropics. Many of them grow in only one particular place or a certain "band" of climate. So naturally, to get to the tables of Northern Europe and Asia -- or anywhere that they are not native -- would require travel. Any extended travel requires crossing borders. And that would necessitate trade and barter.
It is said that pepper traveling between southern India and the tables of Europe passed through as many as 100 hands -- and the price doubled every time!
So a combination of desires -- for more flavorful food and for riches -- is what led to the spice trade and to spices traveling all around the world.
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I hope you enjoyed those facts. I am AW Thomas and I love hot foods and spicy cooking.
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