Throughout human history, spices have built empires, driven global exploration, and functioned as a powerful form of currency. From familiar kitchen staples to rare floral pollens, the global spice trade continues to flourish.
These prized condiments are expensive for good reason; they grow in specific corners of the globe, require painstaking hand-harvesting, and take years of careful cultivation before yielding anything usable.
In this gallery, we take a closer look at the 15 most expensive spices, ranked by cost per pound (450 grams). Click to discover them.
All figures in USD.