| Spices are the food seasonings that come from the | | | | From the middle ages onwards, herbs began to be |
| different parts of a plant like the buds, the bark, the | | | | cultivated even in the western parts of the world. |
| fruits, the flowers, the roots, the seeds, and the | | | | But prior to that, trade was the only means of |
| stems. These spices have played a very important | | | | obtaining these spices. Hence these spices were |
| part in the development of the Western civilization. In | | | | often considered to be very precious and were quite |
| ancient and medieval times, Spices were rare and | | | | valuable as trade goods. |
| precious. To look at the history of spices is to look | | | | From around 3000 BC to 200 BC, the Arabs were |
| at the history of civilization as we know it. | | | | the prime traders of spices in the western world. The |
| Today, spices play a major role in any cooking | | | | Romans took over the trade and were controlling it |
| endeavor - they are used for their fragrance, their | | | | till about 1200. From 1200 to 1500, the Europeans |
| flavor and their taste. They also have a number of | | | | explored different routes to the Eastern parts of the |
| medicinal properties. | | | | globe and began to take over the spice trade. The |
| The first recorded documentation of the use of | | | | period between the 15th to the 17th centuries even |
| spices as medicines is found amongst the documents | | | | saw wars break out for the control of the spice |
| of the ancient Sumerians. This was over five | | | | trade. |
| thousand years ago. Over four thousand years ago, | | | | The period between the 16th to the 18th century |
| we have records that the Chinese also used over | | | | saw the English explore and control the spice trade. |
| 300 different herbs and spices for medicinal reasons. | | | | After this period, the Americans also entered into the |
| Over three thousand years ago, ancient Egyptians | | | | spice trading community. |
| used spices for a variety of purposes, including | | | | Thus, one can see that the history of spice has |
| embalming mummies. | | | | always been a history of control, of power and of |
| The Greeks and the Romans have also used spices | | | | wealth. Spice has proved to be the number one |
| for a variety of reasons. The Greeks used laurel | | | | commodity of trade that has made a lot of |
| leaves in the form of a wreath worn on the head to | | | | difference in the lives of many people - especially in |
| honor their heroes. The Romans used herbs for | | | | the way we eat food - simply because it just tastes |
| magic and sorcery. | | | | better with a little bit of spice! |