The history of spices and plantation crops is deeply entwined with pre-historic commerce, colonialism, biopiracy, and trade disputes. While the spice trade dates to ancient Babylonian and Assyrian times, the origin of plantation crops like tea traces back to approximately 3000 BCE in China. However, comprehensive accounts of their multifaceted histories and impacts remain scarce. This knowledge gap leaves many unaware of the profound regional and global significance of these crops. For instance, tea and coffee have influenced world politics since the 17th century, including the American Revolution, while black pepper has shaped the culture and history of Kerala, India.
This comprehensive work explores a diverse array of spices and plantation crops, from allspice to planted forests. Richly illustrated, each chapter examines their antiquity, diversity, cultural significance, and transnational spread. With academic rigour and depth, the book offers a nuanced perspective on how these crops have historically shaped the world order and continue to influence it today.
