GEC002 Chapter Notes - Chapter chapter 2: Spice Trade, Catholic Monarchs, Food Preservation
Document Summary
One of the benefits that the europeans gained from the crusades was the discovery of some products that were not available in their home country. These included porcelain, silk, incense, herbs, perfumes, fabrics, carpets, spices, and other oriental products. Of all these asian products, spices became the most expensive and in-demand commodity among europeans because of their numerous uses such as food preservation, flavor enhancement, and even medicine. Since spices were a very lucrative commodity, many merchants aspired to monopolize their supply and distribution in the european markets. Asian goods reached europe either via the silk road or the arabian-italian trade route. Both routes were expensive and oftentimes disrupted by wars, natural calamities, and bandits. They decided to explore the oceans to look for a way to the famed spice islands. This route enabled them to trade directly with the producers of spices and other oriental goods.
