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by jwmbiz on August 5th, 2005

jwmbiz

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What were "the riches of the East" that everyone was trying to obtain during the Age of Exploration?

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  • by Encyclopedia_John on August 8th, 2005

    Encyclopedia_John

    Spices from Asia were some of the most valuable items of trade in the ancient and medieval world. This was primarily because of no refrigeration and a poor standard of hygiene that meant that food often spoiled quickly. Spices help to preserve food. Many common kitchen spices have also been shown to kill harmful bacteria. Spices also masked the flavor of food that was beginning to spoil. Cinnamon, cassia, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, frankincense, myrrh, cloves, mace, nutmeg, pepper, and fragrant resins and gums were all highly prized.

    Fabric, both finished goods and raw materials such as calico, silk and cotton, and dyes such as indigo.

    Tropical woods such as mahogany, teak, rosewood, and ebony

    During th 18th century, tea from China became a very important commodity.

    Comments

    • Fabulous answer... although it was more or less before the time of the drug trade, opium would also come to be a large part of British industry in the East during the 19th century. Little side note.

      maritimesapphire

      by maritimesapphire on October 8th, 2009

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