Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus Myristica. Myristica fragrans (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed, and mace, from the seed covering.
Until the mid-19th century, the small island group of the Banda Islands, which are also known under the name "Spice Islands," was the only location of the production of nutmeg and mace in the world. When something tends to be valuable, other people covet it, and nutmeg was no exception. How valuable, you may ask? Maybe not enough in today's dollars, but at the time it was worth Manhattan.
This week, a look at nutmeg and how the Dutch traded it for Manhattan Island.
TTFN, Fred.
Quote of the week: "Nothing is so awesomely unfamiliar as the familiar that discloses itself at the end of a journey." - Cynthia Ozick (American short story writer, novelist, and essayist, 1928 - )
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