Why was europe so driven to become involved in trading with asia?

For centuries, Eastern Asia captivated the west. Rome was able to establish trade with both the near and far east through the silk road (Eurasian trade route through land). During the middle ages, the crusades reignited European interest in the overseas, after coming in contact with exotic spices, resources and peoples. When Marco Polo traveled to China in the 13th century, he told of technological innovations such as gunpowder, silk, tea, etc. that greatly inspired future generations of Europeans to travel to the east to claim these goods. Because of how profitable and popular it was with Europeans, spice became the greatest demand for trade with the East and numerous expeditions were made to acquire it.