The history of nutmeg goes back to the 1st century as evidenced in writings by pliny, the roman writer. Or the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history, around the time the mayflower was making its voyage. How nutmeg spiced the big apples history edible manhattan. People have used nutmeg for its medicinal qualities. Myristica fragrans is a large evergreen tree thats fruit contains a large central seed the nutmeg. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read nathaniels nutmeg. The spice nutmeg has a distinctive pungent fragrance and a warm slightly sweet taste.
The fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace. Mar 04, 1999 im marginally ill today mild fever, slight achiness, low energy and because of that, im disappointed that ive already finished giles miltons nathaniels nutmeg. Nutmeg spice has a secret story that isnt so nice npr. Nov 26, 2018 each spice has its own chemical makeup, giving it unique properties that humans have utilized in cooking, medicine, and personal care for thousands of years.
Exotic spices such as nutmeg, mace and cloves were treasured in the. The word nutmeg comes from the latin word nux, which means nut, and muscat, meaning musky. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. But it once caused serious bloodshed and may have even been a. Spice, the history of a temptation by jack turner is a very well written history of the spice trade, written in the popular history mode. So begins nathaniels nutmeg, in a style that signals history written as a. Aug 02, 2004 maybe im judging this book too much by its title. The nutmeg was known to the ancient chinese, indian and arabic before it was introduced to the europeans in the 14th century, mainly used for medicinal properties. The known first mentions of nutmeg in history were in the 1st century ad, by a roman writer named pliny.
Nutmeg has been one of the saddest stories of history, explains culinary historian. Nutmeg was even once center stage of brutal politics. Here is an exploration of the centuriesold desire for spice in food, in medicine, in magic, in religion, and. The history of a temptation is a history of the spice trade told not in the conventional narrative of politics and economics, nor of conquest and colonization, but through the intimate human impulses that inspired and drove it. But then i probably wouldnt have picked it up either.
Spices are often the overlooked essentials that define our greatest eating experiences. In the 17th century, all europe was mad to have the little brown nut from indonesia nutmeg. Nutmeg is a spice that has long been prized for its medicinal properties. Or, the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history hardcover may 12, 1999. Or, the true and incredible adventures of the spice. A tremendous amount of research must have gone into this work as it is absolutely filled with little gems of detail and wonderful small side stories. Myristica fragrans fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg is a darkleaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit. In this global history of spices, fred czarra tracks the path of these fundamental ingredients from the trade routes of the ancient world to the mccormicks brands contemporary domination of the global spice market. These two spices have a long and interesting history traveling from indonesia to englandand because of their high value, wars were fought to control trade. First, despite the title, this book has little to do with nathaniel courthope and his reputed adventures. You should be aware of a couple of things before reading nathaniels nutmeg. Miltons book tells an absorbing story of perilous voyages, greed and political. We bring our spice in fresh from our importers every week.
Because this, my friends, is my version of the perfect homesickfromwork book. Ancient man the huntergatherer was known to wrap food in the leaves of certain spice plants, mostly as a preservative. The history of nutmeg is remarkable and illuminating. Nov 07, 20 european powers vied for control of spice trade routes and conquered remote spice producing regions. Nutmeg, though, has a rich and sometimes bloody history dating back to ancient times. Or, the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history 4. European powers vied for control of spice trade routes and conquered remote spiceproducing regions. If the variable rhost is set, nutmeg will connect to this host instead of the default remote spice3 server machine.
How one mans courage changed the course of history new ed by giles milton isbn. Nov 25, 2014 in these early days of the holiday season, as cooks begin sifting through recipes rich in spice and sugar, consider this small warning from toxicologists. The history of a temptation, i expected a microhistory. The hidden history of the nutmeg island that was traded for manhattan dutch colonists committed genocide to secure a spice monopoly. Nutmeg is the seed of the nutmeg tree myristica fragrans, an evergreen native to the bandas island in the moluccas, or spice islands, of indonesia. This book has been marketed within an inch of its life. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The california nutmeg, torreya californica, has a seed of. Of all the well loved seasonal spices, nutmeg stands out for its long and slightly twisted history. The nutmeg spice company specialty food association. Nathaniels nutmeg by giles milton book cover, description, publication history.
Nutmeg waits for the job to complete, and passes output from the remote job to the users standard output. Martins press has published awardwinning history books on a range of subjects. Here is an exploration of the centuriesold desire for spice in food, in medicine, in magic, in religion, and in sexand of the allure of forbidden fruit lingering in the scents of cinnamon, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace, and clove. A wonderful book which explores the history of spices and the risks in buying.
Incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history. We follow spices back through time, through history, myth, archaeology, and literature. The following is an article from uncle johns curiously compelling bathroom reader. Spice up your history nicholas lezard enjoys glies miltons spicy tale of colonial history, nathaniels nutmeg fri 3 mar 2000 20. Drawing on this impressive stable of experts from ancient, medieval, modern, contemporary, and military history, the history reader offers articles, interviews, insights, and further reading for history buffs and book lovers everywhere. Nutmeg is extremely toxic when injected intravenously. By the sixth century, the spice had reached byzantium, 12,000km away. Note that this command will only work if your system. Cloves and peppercorns were in high demand, but nutmeg was one of the most soughtafter seasonings. Nutmeg, a delicious spice associated with the holidays in the west, has a long and often tragic history. Nutmeg was a precious commodity traded between arabs and venetians during the middle ages. Nutmegbased spice is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 6 times. Nathaniels nutmeg deftly and arrestingly captures the sorry history of the.
In these early days of the holiday season, as cooks begin sifting through recipes rich in spice and sugar, consider this small warning from toxicologists. Holland at the center of the spice trade, back when a pinch of. The seed of the myristica tree, nutmeg is indigenous to the banda islands of indonesia. The salt nutmeg is a feelgood holiday spice found in cakes and cider, and even spiking our spinach, if were lucky. Ancient chinese myth suggests the medicinal use of herbs and spices began as early as 2700 b. It is used as a spice as well as acting as a deliriant if consumed in large quantities. Read on for a geographical history of spices, from ancient times to today. The spicy smell of nutmeg usually evokes memories, often of the holidays and eggnog or other delicacies.
I really enjoyed his style and will search out theriddle and the knight, one of miltons earlier books, next. The nutmeg spice companys custom label spice program allows any size supermarket or butcher shop to carry our program. Or the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history giles milton courthope, nathaniel coen, jan pieterszoon, 15871629 indonesiamaluku spice trade nutmeg industry nederlandsche oostindische compagnie. It is also a commercial source of an essential oil and nutmeg butter. Giles milton, the author of an earlier book on the british explorer. But it once caused serious bloodshed and may have even been a reason the dutch were willing to. Bloody wars have been waged over the control of this spice and many have died in an attempt to gain control of its production. This was a fascinating book about the spice race, that time in history when the great powers of europe were looking for the. Nathaniels nutmeg by giles milton fantastic fiction. Or the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history by giles milton and a great selection of related books, art. Around 1,000ad, the persian physician ibn sina described the jansi ban. Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus myristica. Nathaniels nutmeg, or, the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history. The salt nutmeg is a feelgood holiday spice found in cakes and cider, and even.
Everything you ever wanted to know about nutmeg foodal. In indian vedic writings it is recommended for headaches, fever, and bad breath. Or the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history giles milton, 1999. May 01, 2009 spices are often the overlooked essentials that define our greatest eating experiences. Im marginally ill today mild fever, slight achiness, low energy and because of that, im disappointed that ive already finished giles miltons nathaniels nutmeg. Sep 14, 2010 the history of nutmeg is remarkable and illuminating. All winners by year connecticut nutmeg childrens book. However, in 1596 the first comprehensive printed book of spices, along with their medical use, was printed in china. If the title was an inquiry into the history and uses of spices and their impact on human development trade, i would not have rated it so poorly. Jan 01, 2020 nutmeg was rumored to be a miracle cure for the dreaded plague, which caused already high prices to skyrocket. Englands solution would be to take over the trade, thus beginning the spice wars. Or the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history by giles milton and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Nathaniels nutmeg book by giles milton thriftbooks. Adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history.
Backgroundspices have been used by human beings for millennia for. The hidden history of the nutmeg island that was traded for. The treaty of breda the treaty of breda allowed the dutch to maintain their nutmeg trade, but cost them the island of manhattan. Or, the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history. But a lot of blood has been shed over this little brown seed. Its effects are longlasting and are considered unpleasant by most who experience them. Excessive consumption of the spice is also dangerous and can lead to death. The extent of the profit is illustrated in the book the dutch traded manhattan island, then the gateway. Essential nutmeg oil as such is used as natural food flavouring in baked goods, syrups, beverages e. Nathaniels nutmeg reminded me a lot of two other gems of books i have read recently, the arcanum by janet gleeson and dava sobels longitude. Mar 03, 2000 spice up your history nicholas lezard enjoys glies miltons spicy tale of colonial history, nathaniels nutmeg fri 3 mar 2000 20. The deep, warm depth of nutmeg spice made it immediately popular when it was introduced to southern europe in the sixth century, spreading throughout the continent over the next 500 years. In this global history of spices, fred czarra tracks the path of these fundamental ingredients from the trade routes of the ancient world to the mccormicks brands contemporary domination of.
The history of a temptation 9780375707056 by turner, jack and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. I found the story of the spice trade to be quite interesting and that i suppose was a result of the hard work put in by the author. Jul 01, 2000 you should be aware of a couple of things before reading nathaniels nutmeg. It replaces ground nutmeg as it leaves no particles in the food. Aug 06, 2012 the following is an article from uncle johns curiously compelling bathroom reader. Especially the dutch, who monopolized its cultivation and, in doing so, built their tiny nation into one of the wealthiest trading powers on the planet. The spice wars would span a twohundredyear period, and involve five different major trade countries. History nutmeg is considered to be one of the most tragic spices in history. Aug 26, 2018 nutmeg, a delicious spice associated with the holidays in the west, has a long and often tragic history. Nutmeg was rumored to be a miracle cure for the dreaded plague, which caused already high prices to skyrocket. The netherlands and england struggle to harness the world supply of nutmeg in the 1600s. When the job is finished the data is loaded in as with aspice.