The primary trade commodity during the Age of Exploration was spice, particularly black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The lust for these exotic goods facilitated European exploration as nations sought new trade routes to Asia, bypassing established land routes controlled by Middle Eastern and North African intermediaries. The spice trade was immensely profitable, leading to the discovery of new territories and the establishment of trade networks. Countries such as Portugal and Spain were at the forefront of this pursuit, greatly influencing global trade dynamics and European economies.