For whatever the reason, New York picked up the name "Big Apple" - is still appropriate? Unbeknownst to most people, and as a result of a remarkable twist fate, fortune of the city really have much to tropical exotic spices in Indonesia than they do to the humble apple.
The spices in question are nutmeg and mace. Both come from the tree of nutmeg from a small chain of islands called the Banda Islands, which are themselves part of a larger group of islands called the Moluccas, or Spice Islands - a chain of islands in the vast Indonesian archipelago. Today, Banda Islands are largely forgotten and sometimes failed to maps of the area. But this common oversight belies their enormous importance in times past, because of their indigenous nutmeg trees.
Although exotic spices spice islands were traded for thousands of years, it was not until around the thirteenth century, when they started to become popular in Europe. For 300 years, until about 1500, the Venetians dominated European trade in nutmeg and mace - and other exotic spices spice islands such as cloves - because they controlled the sea routes Mediterranean. Venice has become very rich as these spices were in high demand in Europe and could draw astronomical prices. The especially nutmeg, was highly appreciated; spice sweet tasting was used as a hallucinogen and aphrodisiac. Meanwhile cloves that have a pungent flavor, were revered for their medicinal properties. Not only did doctors think they could cure the common cold and settle an upset stomach, but they could also improve poor vision!
Kaartje van de Eilanden Bandasche Jacob Keiser circa 1734. Courtesy of Galerie Bartele
Venetians gets the spice merchants in the Middle East, who kept their sources a secret. But the monopoly of the Venetians could not last forever. Indeed, the potential rewards to discover the source of the most valuable spices provided a great incentive for European explorers to unravel the mysteries of unexplored land in the southern hemisphere. Portugal has taken a leading role in this regard, and to trace the route around the southern tip of Africa, accidentally discovered the coast of Brazil in 1500.
In 1511, a Portuguese fleet commissioned by Alfonso de Albuquerque reached the important strategic port of Malacca on the Malaysian peninsula where spices spice islands were taken to be exchanged. Among those aboard was the legendary explorer Ferdinand Magellan, famous for leading later, the first world tour, although he did not actually make it back to Europe (he was killed in a brutal fight . while trying to set up a trading post in the Philippines)
Portuguese finally reached the islands of the spices in 1512. This was their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: same when to pay inflated prices for spices for the local natives, they could still expect to reap the benefits of a phenomenal 1,000 percent when selling them back to Europe. The Portuguese were naturally ecstatic at their success, and to protect their newly discovered sources of wealth of the Spanish competition, they built forts across the Moluccas islands, many of which are still visible today.
But the lucrative spice trade has also attracted the attention of other European powers, especially England and Holland. Although the Portuguese held on the islands for some time after, the Dutch have managed to take control of them in 05. But the English had not given up their aspirations either. Indeed, the explorers of the two countries have made many attempts to identify alternative routes to the Spice Islands. The arduous journey of two years is Europe often ended in disaster, with crews decimated by fatal diseases scurvy and others.
A European explorers eager to locate the Spice Islands was Henry Hudson. Although English, he was recruited by the Dutch. But after failing to find a northern passage to Asia via the Arctic Ocean and the North Pole in 08, the ship sailed to the east and ended up exploring the east coast of North America, even sailing on a distance to the Hudson river that now bears his name. He brought new fertile land for his return to the Netherlands, and the Dutch later sent several missions, eventually establishing a permanent presence in the region in 1614. Soon after, amid the threat of attacks by d other European colonial powers, the Dutch built a fort to protect their trading post at the southern tip of what is now Manhattan. Shortly Hudson could then realized the importance of his journey to the Americas!
New Amsterdam alias Manhattan in 1667
Meanwhile, in the Spice Islands, the Dutch had gained the upper hand in English. But even so, does not have exclusive control over the Banda Islands. Somehow, the English, under the spice trader resourceful and determined Courthope Nathaniel, had succeeded in establishing a foothold on the small island of Run quickly where they erected forts to protect the island from the Dutch vigilance.
However, the presence of the English on this island was a thorn in the side of the Dutch East Indies Governor General of Jan Pieterszoon Coen - even if both parties were technically allies, united in their common hatred of Spanish . By all accounts a ruthless and bloodthirsty man, he set his sights on sending its British neighbors unwelcome packaging. It does not take him long. He quickly captured two English ships and ordered the British to surrender. Although Courthope refused the request, his courage did not go far: he was shot while trying to flee the Dutch some time later
But in 1624 the Dutch went a little too far .. on the island of Ambon, the unjustly accused Dutch entire quota of English traders engineering a mutiny. As was the fashion of the time, these poor traders were beheaded soon after their confessions were instilled them with a particularly extravagant torture methods. News of the attack soon filtered back to England, where there was a public outcry. Feelings ran so high for some time that the Dutch had even recalled their ambassador. But after a heated debate, the Dutch finally relented and agreed to return to the island of Run English.
However, peace did not last long. In 1660, the English and the Dutch went to war after former Act was passed controversial navigation which sought to protect the trade of England by requiring that all goods imported to England to be transported over English ships. Cease hostilities was the Treaty of Breda in 1667.
Under the agreement, the British agreed to surrender their interest in the island of Run in exchange for the island Dutch Manhattan in North America
although English thought they got the best deal they could not imagine - even in their wildest dreams - they were now in possession of what would become the most influential and important city worldwide. So if someone asks you about the nickname of New York, why not suggest that perhaps the 'Sweet Nutmeg' would be more appropriate?
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