A Global History of Pepper: Wealth, Adventure, and Colonialism

Pepper may seem unremarkable, but it's a staple on every family's table. In the Middle Ages, it was also a favorite of Europe's powerful and wealthy, a symbol of riches and status. Black pepper originated in India, a land incredibly far from Europe's ports, and was never easy to obtain. Merchants spared no effort in seeking reliable sources of supply. Their pursuit became a major force in world history, helping bring about the rise of global trade and redraw the map of the world economy.

Centered on the islands of the Indian Ocean, Marjorie Shaffer vividly tells the story of pepper's arrival in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. China was a major consumer of pepper for centuries, and Zheng He visited pepper ports on several of his voyages to the Western Ocean. Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama opened a maritime trade route from Europe to India in search of spicy commodities. The King of Aceh hosted lavish underwater feasts and elephant fights for European visitors. To control the pepper trade, the English and Dutch East India Companies were founded in succession, competing in nearly every port in Asia. The United States entered the contest later, using profits from the pepper trade to fill its treasury. Around this tiny pepper, a complex history of trade unfolds.