Dried cloves rightly bear their French name, “Clou de girofle” (clove bud). The bud, which is three to four millimeters in diameter and a beautiful dark brown, consists of tightly packed petals; the stem, formed from the calyx, is ten to twelve millimeters long. During the drying process, cloves lose nearly half their weight. The yield from a single tree is approximately ten kilograms, rarely more. – 1990

A large quantity of freshly harvested cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) spread out to dry. The cloves have their characteristic nail-like structure, with a stem and a bud-like head. The mixture of reddish-brown and still light green to yellowish buds indicates that they are in the transition phase following harvest. Traditionally, cloves are dried in the sun after harvest until they take on their familiar, uniform dark brown color and become hard. – 1990

View from Ternate, an island in the North Moluccas, of the 3 km wide, forested, conical stratovolcano Hiri, which rises steeply from the sea (630 m) – Moluccas – 1990

On the island of Ternate in the North Moluccas, a fisherman pulls his boat onto Sulamadaha beach. This island is historically known as one of the most important ‘spice islands’ and was once the world's only centre for clove cultivation. – 1990

Here is the fisherman's catch from the previous picture. These are fresh soldierfish (genus Myripristis). They are known for their bright red colour and very large eyes. They are often found in Asian fish markets. – Sulamadaha – Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

A boat carrying vegetables and fruit from the large island of Halmahera arrives at the port of Ternate. In the background on the right is the small island of Maitara and on the left is the island of Tidore, dominated by the 1,730-metre-high Keimatubu volcano. - Moluccas – 1990

Nutmeg originates from the Banda Islands and the northern Moluccas (the so-called ‘Spice Islands’) in what is now Indonesia. Botanically speaking, nutmeg is not a nut, but the seed of the peach-like fruit of the nutmeg tree. – 1990

A handful of nutmegs – Banda Neira – Moluccas – 1990

The kernels (in their hard shells) are dried in the sun or in drying houses for several weeks until the inner kernel (the actual nutmeg) rattles in the shell when shaken. The hard shell is carefully cracked open shortly before export or further processing to expose the nutmeg. – Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

Whole nutmegs for export are usually packed in jute bags (double bags) in units of 25 kg to 50 kg. These provide good ventilation, which reduces the risk of mould. A common export grade is ABCD (mixture of different sizes). When stored correctly in cool, dry containers, the shelf life for export is approximately 18 to 24 months. – Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

On the Moluccan island of Ternate, women sort peeled nutmegs according to size and quality. These are exported in sacks, as seen in the background. The nutmegs are often rolled in lime or dipped in a lime solution beforehand. This process is intended to protect them from pest infestation. – 1990

When dried nuts are shaken, you can hear the seed – the nutmeg – rattling inside the shell. The shell is broken open with a wooden hammer. The nutmeg itself is egg-shaped, two to two and a half centimetres long, grey-brown in colour and can be grated or scraped with a suitable instrument. – Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate offers fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chilli peppers. – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate sells fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chillies or ginger. – Moluccas – 1990

Dried fish is among the items on offer at the market in Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate sells fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chillies or ginger. – Moluccas – 1990

Coconut palm on Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

Selling coconuts at the market in Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

The colourful market in Ternate offers fruit, vegetables and, of course, spices such as chilli peppers. – Moluccas – 1990

Chilli peppers, garlic, onions, limes, tomatoes – Market in Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

This woman at the market in Ternate is selling a special fruit: Malay apples (scientific name: Syzygium malaccense), also known as water apples, rose apples or pomarrosa. They are rich in pectin and vitamins A, B3 and C. They are also low in calories and fat. The fruit grows on trees that can reach heights of up to 15 metres and are particularly common in tropical regions such as South America, Asia and the Caribbean. – Moluccas – 1990

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices in the world and is obtained from the dried bark of cinnamon trees (genus Cinnamomum). It is particularly valued in cooking and natural medicine for its warm, sweet, woody aroma and its health-promoting properties. – Market in Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

What is happening in this world? Child in Castela on the island of Ternate – (see New Year's card 2022) – Moluccas – 1990

Portrait of a local woman on the island of Ternate – Moluccas – 1990

Inflorescence of a clove tree on the Moluccan island of Ternate. The undivided leaves of this evergreen tree from the myrtle family, reminiscent of laurel, are opposite and up to ten centimetres long. They are covered with indentations or tissue cavities that contain a pleasantly scented essential oil. The actual clove is the flower bud. The small, hermaphroditic flowers form round berries two to three centimetres in diameter, which turn brownish-purple when ripe and contain one to two seeds. – Moluccas – 1990

A woman on the island of Ternate picking cloves. The buds are carefully removed one by one and then laid out to dry. This work is usually done in family businesses. Each week's harvest, a few kilos of dried cloves, is then delivered to the buyer in the city of Ternate, who pays for the goods in cash. However, as with most spices, the purchase price is modest. – Moluccas – 1990

On Ternate, freshly picked clove buds are immediately laid out on cloths or mats to dry. In the evening, they are taken indoors and then laid out in the sun again the next day. This drying process takes one to two weeks. In bad weather, the cloves can also be carefully dried over a small fire. They are then ready for sale. – Moluccas – 1990

Dried cloves rightly bear their French name “clou de girofle” (clove nail). The head of the nail, which is three to four millimetres in diameter and a beautiful dark brown colour, consists of tightly packed petals, while the stem, formed from the calyx, is ten to twelve millimetres long. During drying, cloves lose almost half their weight. The yield of a tree is approximately ten kilograms, rarely more. – Moluccas – 1990

The island of Ternate is dominated by Gunung Gamalama, or Gamalama Volcano, which rises more than 1,700 metres above sea level. It is considered one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. The lava flow in the foreground is from an eruption in 1936 – Photo from 1990

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