Curious Minute answer
Which common household spice was once so valuable it was used as currency and rent payments in medieval Europe?
The answer
Black pepper
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Why it's right
Black pepper was so prized in medieval Europe that it was known as 'black gold.' Peppercorns were accepted as currency, used to pay taxes and rent, and even counted out individually in trade agreements. The desire to control the pepper trade helped drive the Age of Exploration.
How readers answered
A50%
B33%
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D17%
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Sources: Wikipedia