There’s a jar in your kitchen that costs about two dollars. Seven hundred years ago, it was worth a fortune, and empires were willing to commit atrocities to control its supply.

A humble spice cabinet staple sparked colonial conquest, slavery, and genocide—all for the sake of flavoring eggnog. The post There’s a jar in your kitchen that costs about two dollars. Seven hundred years ago, it was worth a fortune, and empires were willing…