Why were spices so expensive for europeans?

Answer 1

It was expensive because Italy and Egypt controlled the trade routes make spices cost more. Pepper cost more than gold!

Answer 2

Because they help disguise the taste of meat that's going bad. Seriously. In the Old Days, they'd eat meat if it didn't smell too bad because there was such a shortage of it. It didn't taste good and you only got sick off it sometimes, but it was better than no meat. If you buried it in spices, though, taste wasn't an issue.

Answer 3

Arab and Italian control over the spice trade drove up prices. - Apex

Answer 4

Another answer is Arab and Italian control over the spice trade and drove up the prices.

Answer 5

Europe didnt have the amount of rain to help the spices grow that India had.

Answer 6

There was a monopoly over the spice market -apex

Answer 7

Because spices are very valuable.

Answer 8

How could this interest in Asia have led to or caused exploration