Agriculture

Did You Know Christmas Spices Were More Precious Than Gold?

Christmas hot mulled wine in a glass with spices and citrus fruit

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)