SPICES

Grenada and her sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique are a feast for all the senses, with spice-scented sea breezes, vibrant flora and mouth-watering cuisine.

Known as ‘the Spice of the Caribbean’ or the ‘spice isle’, Grenada is renowned for its nutmeg, the spice that graces the national flag – and is grown on small farms across the islands. Restaurant menus are bursting with flavours of Grenada, from cinnamon and ginger to lemon grasss, all-spice and nutmeg, all grown by local farmers and available to buy direct from the growers at St George’s Spice Market.

A collection of fragrant spices makes a great souvenir of Grenada – and provides an evocative reminder of the tropical island paradise when back home in the UK.

What can Grenadian spices be used for? Traditional baking recipes use ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and mace – especially at Christmas, but there are other ways to enjoy spices and their immune-boosting qualities. Roast sweet potatoes with bay leaves or add cinnamon to warm milk drinks; flavour curries or scrambled eggs with turmeric; and enjoy relief from muscle pain with nutmeg health products. However, remember one of Grenadians’ favourite ways to enjoy nutmeg is  freshly grated on top of a rum punch at sundown.