Even more important was the capture of the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, which were discovered in 1511, after the Portuguese had seized Malacca.

By 1521 the Portuguese had full possession of the Spice Islands, and thus held the trade of condiments entirely in their own hands.

The result was seen soon in the rise of prices in the European markets.

Whereas at the end of the fifteenth century pepper, for instance, was about 17s.

a pound, from 1521 and onwards its average price grew to be 25s., and so with almost all the ingredients by which food could be made more tasty.