“Secrets of the Past: Ancient Vanilla Pod Discovered in Prague Castle Rubbish Pile Reveals Surprising Culinary History”
Vanilla likely reached Prague through indirect trade routes, with Rudolf II’s court possibly obtaining it from merchants operating in Spain, Portugal, or the Holy Roman Empire. Rather than being used in desserts, researchers suggest the vanilla may have been incorporated into alchemical experiments, given Rudolf II’s deep interest in the subject.
No matter the vanilla’s use, this discovery has revealed fascinating information about the spread of goods from the New World across Europe. Instead of the process being slow and centering exclusively around the dominant early colonial powers like Spain and Portugal, the trade of goods appears to have occurred more rapidly and widely, at least in some cases, than researchers originally believed.
After reading about the oldest vanilla pod ever found in Europe, dive into the story of Roger Bacon, the father of modern science and a famous 13th-century alchemist. Then, read about Houska Castle, the fortress outside of Prague built to seal a gateway to hell.
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