Indonesian spices: Revolutionary Trees – part I

Mike Hillis writes about the revolutionary trees of Indonesia.

History has shown that imagination has often fueled a number of outstanding human endeavors. People on every continent and on every little island have had the experience of looking out at the horizon during certain reflective moments and have wondered about life. Perhaps some have tried to imagine where the spirit of their deceased grandfather lives while others have tried to imagine the feeling of early man discovering fire for the first time. Others may have wondered what it would have been like to be sitting on the bus with Rosa Parks when the white man wanted her seat or having been in the same shoes as Gandhi during the British colonial days. The recent Apple advertising campaign that has seen some of the world’s most inspirational thinkers plastered on huge billboards has one basic premise; Imagine.

My own mind travels to a 14th century medieval feast in rural Scotland. The host and hostess, affluent land tycoons, would have entertained in their modest 9,000 square foot castle. Well festooned guests arrived to see oversize silver platters of marinated local game strewn across the enormous dinner table. Goblets of potent well spiced beverages were in abundance. One particular platter stood out amongst the rest, though. This was the spice platter and it was divided into various compartments, each of which held a specific spice. Guests helped themselves, adding spices as desired to the already seasoned dish, or they used the tray as we would a cheese or dessert platter. They consumed pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg as we nowadays might partake of a glass of sherry, a cup of premium coffee, or a chocolate truffle after a fine meal. There was a direct correlation between how much and what type of spice was found in the spice platter to the wealth and status of the hosts. Mace and nutmeg were the most expensive of the spices in medieval Europe while cloves, cinnamon and pepper all came in closely behind regarding expense and prestige. Searing one’s mouth by consuming a small handful of spices after dinner brought great honor to the dinner hosts in European castles seven centuries ago!

Mike Hillis is a writer and anthropologist. He is also the marketing director for Unexplored Adventures, the only dive and eco travel operator based in Maluku province.