The British were attracted to India by the fragrance of these 5 spices, know why they were in such demand in Europe?

The British loved nutmeg so much because apart from enhancing the taste of food and medicines, it was also used to preserve meat. Along with sweets, it was also used in puddings, sauces and even wine. The trade in nutmeg plants and seeds from the Banda Islands brought hundreds of times the profits, but due to Portuguese control, its access to the British was limited. Seeing the desire of the Portuguese and other businessmen for nutmeg, competition among the British also increased to acquire it and they themselves left for India in pursuit of it.

From the Western Ghats, cardamom reached Europe via Indian ports, where it was highly valued for its fragrance, medicine and use in sweets. Very small in appearance, but effective and aromatic, this spice was brought to Europe from India by the Portuguese. In the 17th century, the British also started trading it on a large scale through the East India Company and started earning profits. With this, the demand for cardamom gradually started increasing across Europe and it became a part of the royal kitchens as well as common homes.