Best Answer: What is Spice in Star Wars?
If you’re a Star Wars fan, then chances are you’ve heard of spice. But what exactly is this mysterious substance? In this blog post, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the question of “what is spice in Star Wars?” and explore its place in the Star Wars universe.
The First Mentioning of Spice in Star Wars
It is little, to-no secret that Frank Herbert’s Dune had a major influence on George Lucas’s Star Wars.
We’ll be sent to the Spice Mines of Kessel, smashed into who-knows-what!
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Right out-the-gate, in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, we have our very first mentioning of spice from the protocol droid himself, C3PO.
Since then, it has popped up numerous times in both the films and TV shows set in the Star Wars universe. For example, in episode 2 from season one of The Obi-Wan Kenobi series, we see the titular character using spice to help him survive during an encounter with his captures.
So, What is Spice in Star Wars?
Put simply, it’s a type of drug that comes from mining a medicinal spice mineral into a recreational drug. The most famous mine of which is located on Kessel.
The exact recipe for spice is a closely guarded secret. However, we do know that it’s made from a medicinal spice mineral. The mineral is found on a number of different planets, but the most famous mine is located on Kessel.
Once mined, the medicinal mineral is processed into a recreational drug. The processing method is a closely guarded secret and is only known by a handful of people.
The recreational drug is then smoked or ingested to produce powerful hallucinations. The effects of spice vary depending on the person taking it, but they can range from mild euphoria to complete and utter insanity. In small doses, spice can be used to enhance one’s senses and increase their alertness. However, it’s also highly addictive and long-term use often leads to addiction and psychosis.
Who Controls the Spice Trade in Star Wars?
Spice is traded throughout the Galaxy by a number of different factions. However, the three main factions that control the spice trade are the Hutts, the Black Sun and the Pyke Syndicate.
The Hutts
A criminal organization that has their fingers in all sorts of pies, including the smuggling of spice. They control a large portion of the spice trade and use it to maintain their power and influence. The Hutts are based in the Outer Rim and operate out of a number of secret locations.
The Black Sun Syndicate
Another criminal organization that’s involved in the spice trade. They’re actually even more powerful than the Hutts and have a large army of mercenaries at their disposal. The Black Sun is based in the Inner Rim and also operate in secret.
The Pyke Syndicate
A crime family that’s involved in the spice trade. They’re based on the planet Oba Diah and control a small portion of the spice trade. The Pyke syndicate is also involved in other illegal activities such as smuggling, piracy and slavery.
Why is Spice illegal?
Spice is actually illegal in most parts of the Galaxy. The reason for this is because it’s highly addictive and can have harmful long-term effects on a person’s health. Spice is also illegal because it’s often used to finance criminal organizations.
Despite being illegal, spice is still traded throughout the Galaxy by a number of different factions. This is because there is a high demand for it and the profit margins are huge. The profitability of the spice trade is one of the main reasons why criminal organizations are involved in it.
What is the Spice really called in Star Wars?
The specific type of spice that’s mined on Kessel and traded throughout the Galaxy is called “Ryll”. Ryll is a bright green mineral that’s found in the crust of Kessel. When mined, it’s ground up into a powder and then smoked or ingested.
Conclusion:
So there you have it! That’s everything you need to know about spice in the Star Wars universe. While it may not be as central to the story as something like the Force, it’s still an important part of the fabric of this fictional world. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see even more of it in future Star Wars films and TV shows.
