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16/01/15

How fruits, plants and spices enrich Zanzibar

Annatto, also known as the lipstick tree, is native to South America. The fruit contains seeds surrounded by a thick paste called bixin that gives the pulp its vibrant orange-red colour, used as a dye. The plant’s scientific name is Bixa orellana

Annatto, also known as the lipstick tree, is native to South America. The fruit contains seeds surrounded by a thick paste called bixin that gives the pulp its vibrant orange-red colour, used as a dye. The plant’s scientific name is Bixa orellana

Anita Makri

The tree’s dye, also called annatto, is widely used to colour food such as dairy products, rice and seasonings. Before European cosmetics arrived on Zanzibar, it was used as a lipstick. Masai people still use annatto to colour hair and mark the body

The tree’s dye, also called annatto, is widely used to colour food such as dairy products, rice and seasonings. Before European cosmetics arrived on Zanzibar, it was used as a lipstick. Masai people still use annatto to colour hair and mark the body

Anita Makri

Starfruit hanging on a carambola tree, which were brought to Zanzibar from Asia. These acid-sweet tasting fruits are edible and a good source of vitamin C. The tree’s scientific name is Averrhoa carambola

Starfruit hanging on a carambola tree, which were brought to Zanzibar from Asia. These acid-sweet tasting fruits are edible and a good source of vitamin C. The tree’s scientific name is Averrhoa carambola

Anita Makri

The tree gets its name from the five-pointed star shape of the sliced fruit. Starfruit can be made into pickles, jams, jellies and stews. Their high acid content means they are also used to bleach stains and clean brassware

The tree gets its name from the five-pointed star shape of the sliced fruit. Starfruit can be made into pickles, jams, jellies and stews. Their high acid content means they are also used to bleach stains and clean brassware

Anita Makri

People on Zanzibar haven’t traditionally used the pods of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) to make cocoa powder or chocolate. But they enjoy their flesh, which is crunchy, with a tart, citrus flavour.

People on Zanzibar haven’t traditionally used the pods of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) to make cocoa powder or chocolate. But they enjoy their flesh, which is crunchy, with a tart, citrus flavour.

Anita Makri

Elephant apples are native to South and South-East Asia, where they are used in curries, chutneys and jams. They are not eaten on Zanzibar, but the pulp of the fruit contains a viscous substance, shown above, that can be used as hair gel. They grow on the tree, Dillenia indica

Elephant apples are native to South and South-East Asia, where they are used in curries, chutneys and jams. They are not eaten on Zanzibar, but the pulp of the fruit contains a viscous substance, shown above, that can be used as hair gel. They grow on the tree, Dillenia indica

Anita Makri

Every part of the coconut palm can be used for food or raw materials. On Zanzibar, the tree’s leaves are woven and used to line the roofs of small houses, protecting them from wind and rain. The tree’s scientific name is Cocos nucifera 

Every part of the coconut palm can be used for food or raw materials. On Zanzibar, the tree’s leaves are woven and used to line the roofs of small houses, protecting them from wind and rain. The tree’s scientific name is Cocos nucifera 

Anita Makri

The coconut, which is the tree’s fruit, contains a clear liquid consisting of water, salts, sugars and vitamins — ideal for rehydrating in hot climates. Coconut milk, cream and oil are extracted by boiling the flesh

The coconut, which is the tree’s fruit, contains a clear liquid consisting of water, salts, sugars and vitamins — ideal for rehydrating in hot climates. Coconut milk, cream and oil are extracted by boiling the flesh

Anita Makri

Turmeric, the underground stem of the Asian plant of the same name, is orange inside, but resembles its close relative, ginger, on the outside. Evidence suggests it has medicinal properties. People on Zanzibar use it as an antibiotic and to treat acne. Turmeric’s scientific name is Curcuma longa

Turmeric, the underground stem of the Asian plant of the same name, is orange inside, but resembles its close relative, ginger, on the outside. Evidence suggests it has medicinal properties. People on Zanzibar use it as an antibiotic and to treat acne. Turmeric’s scientific name is Curcuma longa

Anita Makri

Nutmeg forms the kernel of an apricot-like fruit. This seed is covered in aril, a red tissue that separates it from the fruit pulp, which is often dried and sold as mace. Nutmeg is used locally for food and medicine, and is said to have hallucinogenic effects. It has the scientific name Myristica fragrans

Nutmeg forms the kernel of an apricot-like fruit. This seed is covered in aril, a red tissue that separates it from the fruit pulp, which is often dried and sold as mace. Nutmeg is used locally for food and medicine, and is said to have hallucinogenic effects. It has the scientific name Myristica fragrans

Anita Makri

Vanilla is one of the world’s most expensive spices because it is labour intensive to grow and process. It is sold in local markets. The long pods containing vanilla beans come from a climbing vine (Vanilla planifolia). After harvesting, the aroma locked in the pods is released through an enzymatic reaction triggered by curing

Vanilla is one of the world’s most expensive spices because it is labour intensive to grow and process. It is sold in local markets. The long pods containing vanilla beans come from a climbing vine (Vanilla planifolia). After harvesting, the aroma locked in the pods is released through an enzymatic reaction triggered by curing

Anita Makri

When the cardamom plant (Elettaria cardomomum) is harvested, its small pods are dried and the seeds they contain are used whole or powdered. Cardamom is a common ingredient in spice mixes and flavoured tea or coffee. The spice is also used on Zanzibar to treat colds and other respiratory disorders

When the cardamom plant (Elettaria cardomomum) is harvested, its small pods are dried and the seeds they contain are used whole or powdered. Cardamom is a common ingredient in spice mixes and flavoured tea or coffee. The spice is also used on Zanzibar to treat colds and other respiratory disorders

Anita Makri

Cloves are the reason why Zanzibar is known for its spices. The spice is the dried, unopened flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) from South-East Asia. Cloves contain the chemical eugenol, which is widely used as a local anaesthetic. 

Cloves are the reason why Zanzibar is known for its spices. The spice is the dried, unopened flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) from South-East Asia. Cloves contain the chemical eugenol, which is widely used as a local anaesthetic. 

Anita Makri

After harvesting, cloves are left in the sun to dry. Zanzibar’s economy depends on clove production. Until the 1970s, the island was the world’s leading producer, but sales have declined  due to lower prices and international competition, as well as environmental factors such as damage caused by disease and soil erosion

After harvesting, cloves are left in the sun to dry. Zanzibar’s economy depends on clove production. Until the 1970s, the island was the world’s leading producer, but sales have declined  due to lower prices and international competition, as well as environmental factors such as damage caused by disease and soil erosion

Anita Makri

Interest in tours of showcase farms such as Kizimbani is said to have revived the island’s spice industry in recent years. Individual farmers sell their spices at the local central market, packaged in the smaller quantities favoured by tourists

Interest in tours of showcase farms such as Kizimbani is said to have revived the island’s spice industry in recent years. Individual farmers sell their spices at the local central market, packaged in the smaller quantities favoured by tourists

Anita Makri

By: Anita Makri

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These photographs, taken at the Kizimbani Spice Farm,demonstrate the biological diversity of Zanzibar’s renowned tropical treasures and describe how they benefit people there.
 
The Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, known locally as Unguja, has been a central trading place for spice as well as for ivory, gold and slaves in the past. Over the centuries, Indian and Persian influences were added to the initial mix of Arabian and African culture.
Zanzibar map.jpg

In the 2000 years of trading across the Indian Ocean, fruiting plants and spices from around the world have been introduced to Zanzibar and the smaller Pemba Island 80 kilometres to the north. The growth of plantations and trade in the sought-after spices brought new settlers, increasing demand for resources such as wood for building and herbs for medicine.
 
Spices are still a big part of daily life on Zanzibar and in Swahili culture, not just in food but as traditional medicines and for spiritual, cultural and cosmetic use. They are also a major export and tourist attraction. In 2013, tourism overtook agricultural exports as Tanzania’s main source of income — despite official statistics excluding informal activities such as spice farm tours, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
 
Tourism income and jobs help alleviate poverty on Zanzibar, but the industry’s impact on livelihoods and the environment is questionable. Figures from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization indicate that about 60 per cent of the island’s population work in agriculture, about half unpaid. Climatic pressures such as unreliable rain patterns and increasing temperatures also threaten agricultural productivity on the island.