I’ve always wanted to be a Spice Girl and for one day in Zanzibar, I was just that.
If there really was a natural mega-mart in this world, Zanzibar would be it. A visit to East Africa’s favourite island playground, Zanzibar, would appeal to those who want to heighten their senses in amongst colourful world of flavour and zesty smells. With Zanzibar being world-famous for its exotic aromas, spices and herbal remedies, it makes for an intriguing sight to discover where these much-loved natural goods came from in the first place – and in what form too!
So get out the shopping bag as a stroll among the natural aisles of Zanzibar will leave you wanting to make a colourful curry in your kitchen stat!
How did things get so spicy in Zanzibar?
Here I will provide you with a very brief snapshot as to how Zanzibar became the spice mecca that it is today.
Over the course of centuries, traders of all creeds arrived at Zanzibar’s port en route across the Indian Ocean to discover new world trade. (Call Zanzibar the real-life Amazon store of its day if you may.)
Bantu-speaking Africans were the original settlers on Zanzibar. At the turn of the 16th century, Portuguese traders established themselves in Zanzibar as part of their quest to take over East Africa (and the rest of the world!) The Portuguese brought with them a range of plants from their own colonies across India and South America. Fast forward 200 years later, Portuguese dominance over Zanzibar came to a close as the Arabs set up trading companies on the island.
It wasn’t until 1832 that Zanzibar’s tropical climate and fertile soils were taken advantage of to make Zanzibar the Spice Island it is today. The Omani Sultan, Seyyid Said moved his empire capital from Muscat to Stone Town to cultivate the production of cloves. Cloves, at the time, was traded like gold – so that curry you may have for dinner tonight may have been worth a lot back then! It wasn’t just the flavour of clove that was a winner with taste buds, rather it was their sole use alone. Cloves were used as a common method of curing and preserving meats long before the refrigerator was even thought of. Good kitchen fun fact right?
When the island’s other main trade – slavery – was abolished (thank heavens), the spice trade continued to flourish, bestowing wealth and flavour to aid the island’s legendary nickname, the Spice Island.
What exactly is a spice farm
Throughout Zanzibar, the spice tourism trade is booming. This is evident in the number of spices and exotic fruit farms dotted on the island. It is best to go on a tour and have a guide tell you about each plant and their significances and uses of each.
It’s more like a lush green jungle than what you may envision a spice farm to be (certainly not a vegetable garden). The spices that are grown in these plantations aid flavour to the distinctive cuisine of the island. Even better, they provide numerous cures for everyday ailments and help produce cosmetic products and colourful dyes needed to celebrate festive gatherings.
The most alluring part walking through the spice farms is seeing what the spices look like in their most natural formation instead of finding them in a local grocer. A shopping list of spices can be found here – pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, chilli, peppermint, including allspice with its dried berries pleasantly smelling like a fusion of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg spices.
Zanzibar still produces what is referred to as ‘King of Spices’ in vast amounts despite it not being the world’s biggest clove producer; Indonesia now wears the clove crown. Cloves are not only a flavour enhancer but its oil, eugenol acts as a food preservative. It can also be used for medical purposes as a relief for nausea, gas and vomiting. It can help control the pain from a toothache – nature’s dentist, right?
Zanzibar bears fruits
Zanzibar’s spice farms not only produce spices to eat but exotic fruits too. The red banana, guava and jackfruit trees captures your attention due to its brightness and sheer size of fruits. Seeing an actual almond plant was also an interesting sight – no wonder those nuts are so expensive! It takes roughly 100 days for one nut to be produced from one fruit!
Trees of wonder
I felt like I was in the scene in the nineties flick ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ wandering around the spice farm. With its soaring canopy of tropical green trees and coconut palms – I just felt so super tiny! This is especially the case when I found myself caught under leaves that were bigger than me! It is as though the trees have had steroids or something – they are massive!
One tree that I have to highlight is the exotic Kapok Tree – famed for its height, hollowness and spikes. The unusual looking tree can grow up to 200 feet however it is its spikes that are most impressive. The trees look like they belong to the medieval ages with their natural spikes poking out from its trunk. Ironically, the tree shreds off its spikes once it matures. From hard to soft, the tree’s fibres are then used to produce mattresses and pillows.
Another fascinating plant find is spotting the bright red hued Lipstick Tree. Its furry red fruits are hard, deep red seeds that are used as an industrial dye in food preparation and cosmetics. The Henna Plant is also found here, popular with creating stunning and intricate patterns on the skin. However, its other use would raise a few eyebrows; it is believed that the Henna Plant can incite natural abortions. Scary huh?
From henna to lipsticks, pillows to medicine, many useful plants are woven into the fabric of Zanzibar’s culture and industry. I was personally impressed with the lipstick part. This was especially the case when my tour guide’s sidekick decided to put on some natural lipstick and looked like he was ready for jungle cabaret!
Playing dress up
During your roam around the spice farm, your tour guide’s sidekick may get creative with nature’s elements and make you some costume attire. See evidence A to the right!
Where to try a spiced up meal
If you now have the urge to become a taste master to all those spices you have been introduced to in the spice farm, look no further as local favourite Lukmaan has perfected the spicy art in food. Located in Stone Town, this restaurant is super popular with locals as not only is the food fresh and tasty, it is bang for your buck too. I recommend trying the fresh seafood made to order (be quick as it does tend to sell out) and a fruit shake.
Ultimately, if I could eat at this place until my dying day, I would be a very happy person.
Lukmaan, The Mkunazini Baobab tree, New Mkunazini Rd, Zanzibar
Disclaimer: I travelled to the spice farm as a guest of Urban Adventures.
Stay
On budget: Lost & Found Hostel was located just opposite the Freddie Mercury house. The dorm beds were pod-like and even came in doubles. It was well priced (roughly USD $10 a night.)