A fragrant trail of seeds and leaves

The spice trade reached a frenzied peak in the era of the Silk Road. But such commerce in cinnamon, cassia, cardamom, ginger, pepper and turmeric is documented between historical civilizations of Asia, northeast Africa and Europe back to ancient times.

India's southwest state (province) of Kerala had established itself as a major spice trade center as early as 3000 BC, which history generally considers the beginning of the business. Indian spice exports are mentioned in the works of ancient seafarers such as Ibn Khordadbeh, al-Ghafiqi, Ishak bin Imaran and Al Kalkashandi. The seventh-century Chinese traveler and monk Xuanzang mentions the Indian town of Puri on the Bay of Bengal, where "merchants depart for distant countries".

India's legendary curry (and curry powder) is not a single spice but a blend of many, which can vary in different regions of that country and even more in places where spice traders took it abroad, such as Malaysia and Thailand.