The Growing spice trade

The impact of the Spice Trade in the history of Southeast Asia

The Spice Trade was one of the earliest forms of international commercial trade connecting Asia with Europe through a series of maritime and overland routes (Upshur , et al , 2002 . This Trade had left a deep impact on Southeast Asia , home to the so-called Spice Islands , a region teeming with precious spices that had been the craze in Europe prior to European colonization of Asia and the discovery of the New World . The tropical climate , abundant rainfall , and the fertile soil of

br the region made it suitable for the growth of cloves , nutmeg , pepper mace , among many other herbs and spices . These spices , dried , grounded or in wholes , had added flavor and aroma to many dishes . They also helped preserved and enhanced the taste of stored food and some even had medicinal wonders . Asian and European merchants came to the islands in search of these spices . This brought enormous wealth and influence among the islanders whose different kingdoms had made various deals with these foreign merchants . Navigation to the islands became known early on through this seaborne trade

The Spice Trade had stimulated and enhanced the already existing trade in spices in Southeast Asia long before the coming of the white men Indian , Chinese and Arab settlements flourished in Southeast Asia . And even centuries after the lucrative Spice Trade , these communities can still be found in the different countries of insular East Indies . These merchants profit , from bringing these...