Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-01-18
Spices.

While spices of all kinds are SO largely
used in every family, it may be interesting
to know something of the history of the trees
or plants which bear them. We therefore
condense the following from " The Best of
Everything
% The Clore-tree, Guava and Pomegranate,
all belong to the Myrtle family. The stem
of full-grown clove-tree is from eight to
twelve inches, and sometimes considerably
more, in circumference, and the highest
branches usually from forty to fifty feet above
the ground though there are many trees
not higher than a cherry-tree, and laden all
over with fruit. The tree does not begin to
bear till seven or eight years old, but re-
mains fertile till seventy-hve or hundred
years old 1t is a native Of the East but ls
now cultivated in the West Indies and other
parts of the world The best variety is the
Amboyna Glove The name is derived from
the French word signifying HdiL-to which
the spice is somewhat similar. The ctoUe is
the bud, and is found on the end OF the
branches. The annual production OF good
tree is from four to five pounds When
Young the buds are nearly white, and gradu-
ally change into gray, and then to bright
red. when it is ready to be gathered. This
is done either by hand or beating with bonn
boo canes. Mats are spread under the tree
to catch the buds as they fall. They are
then dried in the sun, and when dry are at
once marketable. The leaves, the bark, and
new branches possess a peculiar aroma. In
Zanzibar the flower stalks are gathered, and
meet with ready sale.
The Nutmeg is a native of the Moluccas.
/ is largely cultivated in Sumatra, and has
been introduced into the West Indies. When
II 70 md o.
the nutmeys with which the world was sup
piled came from five islands. The Dutchmen
employed the labor of slaves and convicts for
the cultivation of the tree for long time.
The Isle Of LOntar, where there is park OF
nutmeg trees, is considered one of the most
charming spots on the globe. At the time OF
the crops the trees are completely covered
with nuts, and over taem he giant canarl-
trees spread their branches, to protect the
precious fruit from the heavy winds, which,
| but for these guards, would destroy both tree
and fruit. The nutmeg is the kernel found
within the stone or nut OF the tree. The nut
| has shining black shell, which Is itself sur
rounded by layers of the subsistence known as
/ Mace. There are two kinds of nutmegs-
| one of an oval snaps, the product of wild
plant-the other nearly round, is raised from
| the plant under cultivation, and much supe-
| rior to the former The nutmeg is much
employed in cooking; but it is said to pos
sess great narcotic powers, if taken IN large
Quantities, and should therefore be used with
care.
Cinnamon is the inner bark of tree which
rrows both in the East and West Indies
The best quality is scarcely thicker than pa
per, and comes in long pieces, of light vel
low color. The dark colored cinnamon il
inferior.
Ginger Is the tuber of plant originally
native of Ginqi, in India, whence its name
It is now largely cultivated in the West In
dies. There are two kinds-the white anC
black-which, however, differ only IN tn
mode Of their preparation. The black IS IN
ferior This spice is stimulating to the q
gestive organs, and not only agreeable bu
wholesome, though, like all spices, should b
used with moderation.
Black Pepper-This is the fruit of tn
pepper vine of the East Indies. When pur
chased ground, it is almost universally adult
terated The ordinary pepper of the shop
does not contain more than an eighth or sixtl
part of genuine pepper, and the very bes
only one half-the rest being ground rice o
husks of mustard. it Is powerful stlmu
liant, carminative and rubefacient, as a con
diment peculiarly useful to people Of col
habits or weak digestion.
White Pepper is merely the black peppe
soaked in water till the ontside skin softens
and can be easily rubbed off. 1t is great
inferior to the black pepper, having onl
about one fourth its strength, and mer
trace OF its more valuable constituents.
AHSpice, PiHe7lto, or Jamaica Ginger,
the berry of a tree which grows IN Sout
America. and in the island of Jamaica.
J is an agreeable aromatic. and the mildes
and most innocent of all the common spices.