As a rich European with a taste for spices and silks, my demand for these luxury goods would drive trade routes to expand and evolve, creating a greater reliance on overseas exploration and commerce. This insatiable appetite would encourage merchants to seek direct connections with sources in Asia, leading to the establishment of trade companies and colonial ventures. Consequently, my preferences would not only boost the economy through increased trade but also fuel competition among European powers to secure these valuable commodities. Ultimately, my tastes would significantly influence global trade dynamics and cultural exchanges during that era.
They didn't necessarily want just the spices. The silk road brought common trade goods as well. Things like silk, hence the name The Silk Road. Spices were much in demand. The world had tasted the difference exotic spices made to common foods and demanded more. These flavors were not just used to enhance taste but used to mask bad tastes and preserve foods. The prices asked for the spices made the trade a lucrative business to be in.
It was expensive because Italy and Egypt controlled the trade routes make spices cost more. Pepper cost more than gold!
Europeans sought Asian spices primarily for their flavor and preservation qualities, which enhanced the taste of food and helped preserve it in an era before refrigeration. Additionally, spices were highly valued for their medicinal properties and were used in perfumes and cosmetics, making them lucrative commodities in trade. The desire for these exotic goods fueled exploration and established trade routes, significantly impacting global commerce.
When Marco Polo returned to Italy he brought back the things from Asia and introduced them to Europe. In this time people didn't take baths so perfume was a welcoming scent. The foods were mushy and over cooked so spices made them taste better and clothing was rough against the skin and silk felt cool or warm when put on and it was beautiful. Foods like peaches were also introduced and there was very little fruit in Europe. Polo's book told of magnificent wonders and of another world. When sailing technology caught up with the fever of people wanting all the things that Polo introduced the race was on to find a water route to Asia. The Silk Road was dangerous, took months to travel, had robberies, and was expensive for investors to sponsor so a water route was needed to get the things that people wanted.
The Famous Five or Valiant Five were the 5 women who fought for their right to vote.
The Christian crusaders who brought back a taste for the silks and spices of Asia
the christian crusader who brought back a taste for the silks and spices of Asia
the Christian crusaders who brought back a taste for the silks and spices of Asia
The Christian crusaders who brought back a taste for the silks and spices of Asia. Source: See the related link below.
Different spices add different taste to what you are cooking
Campari has a bitter and herbal taste with notes of citrus and spices.
Spices change taste depending on what spice they are. Some may add spiciness, others make it salty, sweet, bitter, sour or tangy.
Spices and seasonings.
Mask the taste with other flavours/spices
To make it taste good.
European food was very bland, and just a little spice could make it taste better. Spices could be used for many other things, like perfumes and medicines. Looking to trade for spices led Europeans to exploring new places.
Refrigeration had not yet been invented, so the only way to preserve meat was to salt it. Adding spices helped to hide the salty taste. The spices also concealed the taste of meat that had gone bad.