Why is grenada called the isle of spice

Grenada is made up of three islands, Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique and they make up the southern-most islands in the Windward Islands chain or the Southern Grenadines. Nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, cloves, and ginger to name a few.

It boasts sandy white beaches, tropical rainforests, natural waterfalls and plenty to see and do. Mace the red lacy substance that wraps around the nutmeg is used as a preservative and to season soups, stews, sauces, and pickles.

Tumeric Saffron. Turmeric is derived from a root vegetable and is commonly used to add bright yellow colour to soup, stew, curry, rice, or potato dishes. It is also an ingredient in the Grenadian national dish called Oil Down. It is commonly called Saffron in Grenada. Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of a tree.

It is used for flavouring cakes, puddings, and sweet baked goods. The island is best known for producing nutmeg — as they are second only to Indonesia for producing the spice. Did you know that nutmeg and mace come from the same plant?

Each come from the fruit of an evergreen tree in the Myristica genus. Nutmeg comes from the seed, and mace is the red fibrous husk that surrounds it.

Mace and Nutmeg have similar flavour profiles, but mace is less intense. Both spices can be used in sweet and savoury dishes on the island and abroad. You can tour gardens where these plants grow and factories where these spices are produced. This makes it easy to get out and explore. Accessible by boat, the Molinere Bay Underwater Sculpture Park offers visitors the chance to snorkel above or dive below the surface to view life-size sculptures created by British-born sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.

His installation's human figures, including Viccisitudes — composed of a circle of children and interpreted as a tribute to the slaves who survived the treacherous Middle Passage across the Atlantic — have since been transformed by coral and algae into eerie visions.

Guided hikes and sturdy, waterproof shoes such as Crocs or trail-running sneakers are recommended. If hiking presents a challenge, the Annandale Falls in St. George can be accessed via car and a short walk along a paved walkway. Dive in: Spectacular waterfall hikes in Grenada.