Nutmeg trees are everywhere in Grenada, adding to the
pot pourri of fragrances that cloak this beautiful island. The nutmeg
fruit is about two inches in diameter and the trees are generous in their
bounty.
The interior hard shell is covered in the red ‘mace’,
which is dried for use as an aromatic addition to soups and stews.
The small farmer transports his harvest.
At the Grenada Co-Operative Nutmeg association mace is divided into
premier and regular quality…
while the nutmegs are stripped from their cases by ladies sitting
on stools at wooden boxes, in much the same fashion as when the
industry first started.
The nutmegs are then shaken through various diameter
holes
and separated them into different grades
before being bagged for shipping all over the world.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the forest, the process is starting all
over.
