ENCHANTING WORLD OF SPICES | SEASON 1

1. Vanilla from Mexico

Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It originates from Mexico, where the small town of Papantla near the Gulf Coast was once the center of the global vanilla trade. Indigenous peoples of the Gulf region already knew the secret of cultivating vanilla. In April, the delicate pale-yellow orchid flower opens for only a few hours. During this brief window, it must be pollinated — a labor-intensive process requiring great skill. After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, vanilla was introduced to Europe, where it has remained the queen of spices to this day.

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2. Cardamom from Kerala

In the lush green Western Ghats of Kerala, farmers struggle to cultivate the precious “green gold” of cardamom. They face tiny pests that threaten their harvests, as well as wild elephants that trample plantations and attack workers. Under growing time pressure, scientists are working to develop new ecological farming methods in order to safeguard both the heritage and the future of this unique spice.

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3. Nutmeg & Cloves from the Moluccas

The Moluccan Islands were once Europe’s spice treasury. Precious cloves and nutmeg grew exclusively on these remote islands, which today belong to Indonesia. British, Portuguese, and Dutch powers fought wars over the riches of the Moluccas. Nutmeg farmer Ponky continues a 13-generation-old family tradition, while cloves are harvested right alongside the road. The islands’ extraordinary biodiversity has inspired both researchers and bird poachers alike. Today, former bird poacher Soni Sapulete works to protect this unique fauna, including the Ambon king parrot and fruit bats — the mythical guardians of the nutmeg.

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4. Cinnamon from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, renowned for its rich flora and fauna, is the birthplace of Ceylon cinnamon. European powers once battled for control of the cinnamon monopoly. To this day, cinnamon production is shaped by traditional, labor-intensive craftsmanship in small workshops, a process that demands skill, precision, and experience.

Four Episodes