The old adage might be that "necessity is the mother of invention," but this sentiment certainly doesn't apply to the boom of the spice trade. Once the foodies of Medieval Europe got a taste of ...

But the world’s demand for spices grew throughout the Roman era and into the medieval period, defining economies from India to Europe. This demand gave rise to some of the first truly ...

Medieval monks especially enjoyed seasonings that weren't typically part of their normal meal. Honey, herbs, and spices like saffron and cumin were all used in the cooking, and were considered ...