How nutmeg and cloves from a few small islands changed the course of world history.
For centuries, cloves grew only on a few islands in northern Maluku and nutmeg only in the Banda Islands. Traded through Asian and Arab merchants, they were worth more than their weight in gold in Europe.
The search for these islands drew Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and English fleets. The Dutch East India Company's brutal conquest of Banda in 1621 shaped colonial history for three centuries.
Good to know
- Nutmeg only grew in Banda
- Cloves from Ternate and Tidore
- Dutch conquest of Banda in 1621
Ask NUSANTARA AI
Curious about The Spice Trade? Keep exploring.
Continue discovering
Connected to The Spice Trade
Where to experience itSee all in Maluku →
DestinationMaluku
Banda Neira
Banda Islands, Maluku
Tiny islands that were once the world's only source of nutmeg.
View details
DestinationMaluku
Ora Beach
Seram, Maluku
Overwater cottages beneath jungle cliffs on the north coast of Seram.
View details
DestinationSumatra
Lake Toba
North Sumatra
The largest volcanic lake on Earth, with Samosir Island rising from its centre.
View details
Food to trySee all in Maluku →
FoodKalimantan
Soto Banjar
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan
A clear, fragrant chicken soup from Banjarmasin, scented with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.
Learn more
FoodMaluku
Papeda
Maluku & Papua
A glossy sago porridge from eastern Indonesia, eaten with yellow fish soup.
Learn more
FoodSumatra
Rendang
West Sumatra
Beef slow-cooked for hours in coconut milk and spices until dark, rich and tender.
Learn more
Culture to understandSee all in Maluku →
CultureJava
Wayang
Java & Bali
Shadow puppet theatre that has told epic stories through the night for more than a thousand years.
Learn more
CultureJava
Batik
Java and across Indonesia
The wax-resist textile art whose patterns carry meaning, rank and regional identity.
Learn more
CultureJava
Gamelan
Java & Bali
Shimmering bronze ensembles of gongs and metallophones at the heart of Javanese and Balinese music.
Learn more