Was Nutmeg Worth More Than Gold?

In the 17th century, nutmeg was worth more than its weight in gold. A ship safely returned with its hold full of spices could do for an able-bodied seaman back then what an options package at AOL does for an employee today. You were pretty much set for life.

Was spice more valuable than gold?

Saffron (Crocus sativa) is a spice that is worth more than its weight in gold. Over the past three decades there has been renewed global interest in saffron cultivation for use in cosmetics, the food industry and for its health benefits, which is why this spice has been coined “Red Gold”.

Why was nutmeg so valuable?

So, why was nutmeg so valuable? Well, Krondl likens it to the iPhone of the 1600s. It was fashionable among the wealthy. It was exotic and potent enough to induce hallucinations — or at least a nutmeg bender, as detailed in this account from The Atlantic.

Is cinnamon more valuable than gold?

Cinnamon was so highly treasured that it was considered more precious than gold. Ceylon, present day Sri Lanka. They conquered the island and gained control of the cinnamon trade.

When was pepper more valuable than gold?

By the 16th century, the Portuguese started to lose their monopoly over the trade to the Dutch. When the Dutch and the Portuguese managed the spice trade, pepper was so valuable that it was worth more than gold by weight. This is how pepper came to earn the title “Black Gold”.

What is the most expensive spice?

saffron
Most expensive spice
Across the world, saffron is used in products ranging from food to medicine and cosmetics. A kilogram (2.2 pounds) requires the stigmas of about 150,000 flowers and can easily sell for $3,000-$4,000.

How much was black pepper once worth?

Nevertheless, for a brief time, the price of pepper was held at 800 denarii per Roman pound (that’s 20,000% interest, or an average of about 100% interest per year for 200 years).

What was nutmeg originally used for?

Historically, grated nutmeg was used as a sachet, and the Romans used it as incense. Around 1600 it became important as an expensive commercial spice in the Western world and was the subject of Dutch plots to keep prices high and of English and French counterplots to obtain fertile seeds for transplantation.

Why was nutmeg so expensive in 17th century?

Nutmeg as expensive as gold during 17th and 18 th century because it is only found in some parts of ASIA and it was very difficult to transport it to INDIA through sea routes because at that time their was no more modes of transports for long distance.

Why is nutmeg called nutmeg?

Why do they call it a nutmeg when a footballer kicks a ball through his opponent’s legs? It’s rhyming slang for legs. Through the nutmegs, through the legs – you’ve been nutmegged.

Is vanilla bean more expensive than gold?

Vanilla can be found in many products we use every day. But there’s relatively little of it on the world market and prices are astronomical. It’s now more valuable than silver.

Is anything worth more than gold?

Diamonds are much more expensive than gold. However, red diamonds are extremely rare on our planet. Only 30 of them are currently known, and most of them do not weigh more than half a carat (about 0.1 grams). They are worth a lot, and 1 gram can cost around $ 5 million.

Is Silk more expensive than gold?

In fact, your textiles, the silks and cottons, are beautiful. Silk is more important and valuable than gold….

What is the king of spices?

Black Pepper
Black Pepper is considered the ‘king of spices’ and rightfully so. Unlike its perennial companion, salt, which is easily available in any nook and corner of the world, the black pepper owes its origins to Kerala – a state in South India.

What are the king and queen of spices?

The “King” of spices, black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and the “Queen” of spices, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum M.), both perennial crops of the tropics, are the most important and most widely soughtafter spice crops of the world ( Figure 5).

What was the most valuable spice in the 17th century?

saffron
More than half of all medieval English and French recipes call for saffron, the most costly of all medieval and modern spices (or herbs).

What are the 3 most expensive spices?

Most Expensive Spices in the World

• Grains of Paradise: $33/pound.
• Kaffir Lime Leaves: $36/pound.
• Black Cumin Seed: $39/pound.
• Long Pepper: $47/pound.
• Mahlab: $69/pound.
• Vanilla Bean: $200/pound.
• Fennel Pollen: $450/pound.
• Saffron: $1000/pound. The most expensive spice by weight is pure saffron.

What is the oldest spice?

Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an ancient spice that predates the recorded history of culinary applications of all spices. As such, it has been dubbed the “world’s oldest spice”, which may be a warranted title, knowing that because it was found to be included in Egyptian embalming recipes.

What are the 2 most expensive spices?

These Are The World’s Most Expensive Spices

• Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice.
• The world’s second most expensive spice is vanilla.
• A pound of vanilla beans (about 450 kg) can sell for $50 and up, according to CNN Money.
• Cardamom is a tropical plant native to Southern India and also cultivated in Madagascar.

How much did a house cost in medieval times?

Again, from the medieval price list, the price of a modest house was around was around 10 pounds (2,400p). A castle gatehouse cost almost as much (10 pounds). An expensive house was around 100 pounds (24,000 pence), which was also just about the construction price of a church.

Why was spice so valuable?

Spices were highly valued because, as well as being used in cooking, many had ritual, religious or medical uses. They were of high value because of their relative geographical scarcity. Spices could only be grown in the tropical East, in the South of China, Indonesia as well as in Southern India and Sri Lanka.