30+ - Nutmeg

Medieval Europeans believed nutmeg could ward off the bubonic plague and it became as valuable as gold. The only source of nutmeg was Indonesia's Banda Islands. The Dutch took over most of them and massacred and enslaved the Banda people so they could dominate the nutmeg trade. However, the people of Run Island made a treaty with the English. This sparked the Nutmeg Wars between the Netherlands and England. The wars ended in 1667 when Run was given to the Dutch in exchange for New Amsterdam, which the English renamed New York.

Indonesia is still the largest producer of nutmeg. The second largest is the tiny Caribbean 'spice' island, Grenada, which has a nutmeg on its flag. Nutmeg is the dried fruit of the seed. The seed has a lacy, red covering which is dried and ground into mace.

Nutmeg contains vitamins A, C, B1, B3, folate, manganese, magnesium, copper and potassium. Its phytonutrients are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Nutmeg extracts have proved anti-microbial but there is no evidence it will protect you from the bubonic plague.

Nutmeg is used in traditional Christmas foods like eggnog, pumpkin pie and mulled wine. It can be added to steamed fruit, custards and puddings as well as cakes, cookies, pies, pastries and rum punch. It can also be added to soups, stews, sauces and roast vegetables.