In 1711, Father Père Jartoux, a French missionary, wrote a letter home, stating, "This ingredient is too expensive for the common folk. It is used for products offered to the Emperor.” The ingredient Father Jartoux is referring to is Korean Ginseng. Europeans have touted the efficacies of Korean Ginseng for centuries. Richard Cox of the British East India Company also wrote, "(Ginseng) is so precious that the common people never get the chance to use it. It is widely considered the most precious plant in the world.” Records describing the value and efficacies of Ginseng can be found in history books from all over the world.