Did You Know Christmas Spices Were More Precious Than Gold?

For more than 5000 years spices have provided flavor and are associated with sophisticated cooking as well as festive times of the year [1]. Many Christmas spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves originated from Asia [2], and land/sea trade routes were explored to source them. Cinnamon and nutmeg were once even more precious than gold [3]. Today, efficient global trade systems make spices available all over the world and help signal Christmas and other festivities. 

The BASF Agricultural Solutions team in Brussels wishes you festive Christmas holidays 🎄

[1] Neolithic chefs spiced their food (nature)

[2] Christmas spices come from all over the world (CBC News)

[3] How the Spice Trade Changed the World (LiveScience)