5 of the World's Most Expensive Spices, Including One from Indonesia

Since ancient times, spices have been an inseparable part of life in societies worldwide. Spices are aromatic parts of plants used in food, both as flavorings and preservatives.

International market prices for spices vary considerably. Some are considered the most expensive in the world. The following are five of the world's most expensive spices in 2021, according to *Luxury Columnist*.

1. Saffron

Saffron is considered the world's most expensive spice, selling for US$1,000/0.5 kg or approximately Rp 14.2 million/0.5 kg (exchange rate Rp 14,250). Saffron's high price is due to the fact that 454 grams of dried saffron requires 75,000 flower blossoms. The harvesting process is also difficult, requiring manual labor.

2. Fennel Pollen

Second place is occupied by Fennel Pollen, priced at US$450/0.5 kg or Rp 6.4 million/0.5 kg. Although fennel is not difficult to grow, the pollen must be harvested manually by hand, yielding only small quantities. Fennel pollen has a distinctive flavor with notes of sweet fennel, citrus, licorice, pepper, and turmeric.

3. Vanilla Beans

With a price of US$200/0.5 kg or Rp 2.85 million/0.5 kg, vanilla beans rank third as the world's most expensive spice. Manual pollination and challenging cultivation contribute to vanilla's high price. Indonesia is the largest exporter of vanilla after Madagascar and Mexico.

4. Mahlab

Mahlab takes fourth place, priced at US$69/0.5 kg or Rp 983,300/0.5 kg. This spice is still unfamiliar to most Indonesians. Mahlab is a rare spice that only grows in Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. This scarcity contributes to its high price.

5. Long Pepper

Priced at US$47/0.5 kg or Rp 669,800/0.5 kg, long pepper occupies the fifth position among the world's most expensive spices. This spice is easily found in India, Nepal, and Pakistan, but despite having a flavor similar to black pepper, it remains difficult to find.

(Read More: Thailand and India Become the Main Export Destinations for Indonesian Spices)