Spawning dynasties, triggering conquests and fueling discoveries, pepper has played an important role in shaping the world as we see it. Once accounting for over 80 per cent of the global spice trade volume, the king of spices was likely the primary reason behind the colonization of the East. Produced almost exclusively along the Malabar Coast in the southwest of India, the spice was shrouded in secrecy and legend till recent times. Arabs, who dominated the trade of pepper for several centuries, believed it grew behind waterfalls guarded by fire-breathing dragons. The spice is believed to have been exported to other parts of Asia and North Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 06, 2023 01:49 UTC