The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-05-12
Spices.

While spices of all kinds are so large
ly used in every family, it may be inter
esting to know something OF the trees
or plants which bear them. The Clooe-
tree, Guava and Pomegranite all belong
to the Myrtle family. The stem OF
full grown clove-tree is from eight TO
twelve inches, and, and sometimes con.
siderably more, in circumference, and
the highest branches usually from forty
to fifty feet from the ground though
there are many trees not higher than
cherry-tree, and lapen with fruit The
tree does not begin to bear till seven or
eight years old, but remains fertile TIL
seventy-five or hundred years old. IL
is native of the East but is now cul-
tivated 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 nail-to which
the spice is somewhat similar. The
Glove is the bud, and is found on the
end of the branches. The annual pro-
duction of good tree is from four 70
five pounds. When young the buds
are nearly white, and gradually change
into gray, and then to a bright red,
when it is all ready to be gathered.
This is done either by hand or beating
with bamboo canes. Mats are spread
under the tree to catch them as they fall.
They are then dried in the sun, and
when dry are at once marketable. The
leaves, the bark and new branches pos
sess peculiar aroma. In Zanzibar the
flower stalks are gathered, and meet
with ready sale.
The N,tn.eg is a native of the Moloc-
cas-. 1t is largely cultlyatedin Sumatra,
and has been introduced into the West
Indies. When the Europeans first came
to these Islands, all the nutmegs with
which the world was supplied came
from five Islands. The Dutchmen en-
ployed 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 one OF the
most charming spots on the globe. At
time of the crops the trees are COM
pletely covered with nuts, and over
them the giant Canari trees spread their
branches, to protect the precious fruit
these guards, would destroy the tree
and fruit.
The nutmeg is the kernel found with
in the stone or nut of the tree. The
nut has shining black shell, which is
itself surrounded by layers of the sub
stance known as mace. There are two
kinds of nutmegs-one of a oval shape,
the product of wild plant-the other
nearly round, is raised from the plant
under cultivation, and much superior to
the former. The nutmeg is much EN-.
dloyed in cooking; but is said to pos
sess great narcotic powers, if taken in
large quantities, and should therefore
be used with care. Mace is the mem
brane which surrounds the shell of the
nutmeg.
Cinnamon is the inner bark of tree
which grows both in the East and West
Indies. The best quality is hardly
thicker than paper, and comes in long
pieces of a light yellowish color. The
dark colored cinnamon is inferior.
Ginger is the tuber Of plant original
ly native of Gingi, in India, whence
its name. 1t is now largely cultivated
in the West Indies. There are two
kinds-the white and black-which,
however, differ only in the mode of pre-
paration. The black is inferior. This spice
is stimulating to the digestive organs,
and not only agreeable but wholesome
though it should be used with modera-
ton.
Black Pepper is the fruit of the pep
per vine of the East Indies. When pur-
chased ground, it is almost universally
adulterated. The ordinary pepper Of the
shops does not contain more than an
eighth or sixth part of genuine pepper,
and the very best one-half-the rest be-
ing ground rice or husks of mustard.s 1t
is powerful stimulant carminatiye and
rubefacent, as a condiment peculiarly
useful to people of cold habits or weak
digestion.
White Pepper is merely the black
pepper soaked in water till the outside
skin softens, and can be easily rubbed
Off 1t is greatly inferior to the black
pepper, having only about one-fourth
its strength, and mere trace of its more
valuable constituents.
AHspiee, Pin,ento or Jamaica Pepper, is
the berry Of tree which grows in
South America, and in the island Of ia
maica. 1t is an agreeable aromatic, and
the mildest of all the common spices.
We are largely indebted to "The
Best of Everything" for most of this
accountable Christian Union.