Spices of Bali

Indonesia was discovered in the search for spices: around 1500 AD the Portuguese found the clove on the Moluccas; the Banda Islands east of the Moluccas are the home of nutmeg. To this day, spices are among the treasures of the archipelago – and many of them also grow on Bali.

The island's most important spices

Cloves – Cengkeh – The dried flower buds of the clove tree; plantations shape the mountain slopes of west and north Bali.

Nutmeg – Pala – Native to the Banda Islands; on Bali, the nutmeg forest of Sangeh with its sacred monkeys recalls this famous trading good.

Cinnamon – Kayu Manis – cinnamomum – "Sweet wood", as the Indonesian name translates: the dried bark of the cinnamon tree.

Chilli – Lombok – capsicum – Unthinkable to cook Balinese food without it; red and green pods pile up on every market.

Ginger – Jahe and turmeric – Kunyit – These roots form the base of many Balinese dishes and of the famous spice paste "basa gede".

Lemongrass – Sere – Flavours soups, sauces and sate skewers with its fresh citrus aroma.

Cardamom – Kapulaga, cumin, pepper – Merica, star anise and tamarind – Asam round off the Balinese spice shelf.

Candlenut – Kemiri – aleurites moluccana – The oily kernels are roasted and used as a seasoning and thickener.

Real vanilla – Vanili

Vanilla is a South American orchid and one of the most expensive spices. On Bali the blossoms must be pollinated by hand, since the specific birds and insects of its homeland are absent.

Beware: "fake saffron"

At some markets frequented by tourists, yellow flower filaments are sold as saffron. Real saffron – the stigma of a violet crocus – cannot grow in Indonesia's climate.

Stimulants

Coffee – Kopi – Robusta and arabica bushes grow on the mountain slopes; Balinese coffee is traditionally ground very fine and brewed unfiltered.

Cocoa – Pohon Coklat – Cocoa trees thrive at the island's middle altitudes and can often be seen by the roadside on our tours.

Betel palm – Pinang – areca catechu and betel pepper – Daun Sirih – piper betle – Betel nut and betel leaves have been part of island culture for centuries, both as a stimulant of the older generation and as part of offerings.