The origin of spice is not certain; historians tell that spices were already in use long before history was recorded. China discovered writings that record the fact that in 200 B.C. spices were already traded and used in their country. From then on up to the early part of the first century of the Christian era, China enjoyed a monopoly over spice. However, it ended when Rome joined the trade in the middle of the first century.

Spices were transported via camel caravans from southern India to the Arab nations, crossing the Red Sea to Egypt, and then transshipped to Mediterranean countries. This long and tortuous journey of spices made its availability a scarce proposition, made worse by bands of brigands that regularly preyed on spice caravans.

Thus spices were not only in short supply but also extremely expensive. During the 9th century, pepper was sold per piece, while cloves and mace sold for the equivalent of .00 per pound. The situation was taken advantage of by the rich people; they bought spices by the pound and sold it at incredible prices. The authorities of Rome and of some Arab countries did not tolerate the situation; they created a decree against that sort of cutthroat trading and made it punishable by death. Still, the decree did not stop people from selling spice at very high prices because of its great demand.

Spice was so essential at that time that people did not mind paying tremendous prices for a few milligram or pieces; this was because of the wonderful benefits they got from spice. The usually unpalatable taste of food was transformed into something that was quite delicious with the addition of spice. Also, with the absence of refrigerators, because of the anti-oxidant properties contained in certain spices, food spoilage was lessened.

Actually, the hardworking caravans, made up mostly of Arab traders who were good explorers of deserts and the wilderness, aggravated the high price and the shortage of spice. Aside from hording of the stocks in different Mediterranean regions, people made up stories of how hard and dangerous it was to look for spice. And to convince the buyers of their high prices, spice traders told them about the monsters and dragons that guarded the spice. They did this not only to give reasons to mark-up spice prices but also to keep the sources of spice a secret from everyone else to prevent competition. But secrets cannot be kept for long; a very brave Venetian named Marco Polo unlocked the secret. During his voyage from 1271 to 1295 he roamed the lands in eastern, central and southern Asia, and the islands in the Pacific-–places that were unknown to them before. Upon his return, many were so excited to hear his story; he immediately published the chronicle of his journey. In the publication, he described the golden palaces and towers of Asia; and the most important story he told was the discovery of the sources of the different spices. According to his story, he saw pepper that was sold by the piece growing bountifully in the soil of Borneo, ginger in different provinces of China, cinnamon in Ceylon, clove and nutmeg on islands in the Pacific.

Marco Polo’s discovery stirred explorers whose names are immortalized in history like "Fernao de Magalhaes" (Magellan), Columbus and many more. But unfortunately, many of their ships’ crews lost their lives in search of spice.