The spice trade was of major economic importance and helped spur the Age of Exploration. Spices brought to Europe from distant lands were some of the most valuable commodities for their weight, sometimes rivaling gold.

Trade in the East Indies was dominated by Portugal in the 16th century, the Netherlands in the 17th century, and the British in the 18th century.

See also: British East India Company

External Link

A taste of adventure - The history of spices is the history of trade http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=179810 The Economist ,Dec 17th 1998.

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