The History Of Zanzibar's Spice Trade

Seasonal winds allowed sailing vessels to travel between the East African coast, Arabia and South Asia on a predictable annual cycle. Zanzibar sat conveniently on that route, becoming a natural point of exchange for goods, language and cuisine.

Clove cultivation expanded significantly on Zanzibar and Pemba in the nineteenth century, reshaping the islands' economy and landscape. That history is complex and includes the slave trade; it is not a romantic story and we do not present it as one.

Much of the island's spice production now comes from smallholder farms, and spice tours are a significant part of the visitor economy. The flavours of Zanzibari cooking — clove-heavy pilau, cardamom chai, coconut curries — are the clearest surviving trace of centuries of exchange.