Spices of Grenada, Isle of Spice
The Caribbean island known as the Isle of Spice, a leading producer of nutmeg and mace, with a nutmeg on its flag.
Traded and grown here
Best time: January to May, in the drier season.
Grenada grows nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, clove, ginger, cocoa and allspice. Nutmeg was brought in the nineteenth century, and the island was long one of the world's leading producers, with a nutmeg pictured on its flag. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 destroyed much of the crop, and replanting has been slow, as the trees take years to bear.
Spices and trade
The nutmeg fruit splits to show the seed wrapped in red mace. The two are dried and graded separately. Gouyave has a nutmeg processing station where visitors can see the work. Oil down, a stew of breadfruit, salted meat and coconut milk, is the national dish.
The place and its people
Spice farming is a part of daily life, and cocoa and nutmeg are processed by cooperatives. The Friday Fish Friday at Gouyave is a street food party.
Visiting
Visits to spice estates and the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station are easy.
A trail idea for Grenada, Isle of Spice
- Gouyave Nutmeg Station See nutmeg graded.
- A spice estate Walk through the trees.
- Fish Friday in Gouyave Eat at the weekly street party.
- Grand Etang Visit the crater lake.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Grenada" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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