NUTMEG: The Horrible History Behind The Popular Spice

[@WeirdExplorer]

PLEASE NOTE Many people have commented that spices actually were not used to cover up the taste of spoiled food. So I am pinning this here to help make this correction known. Please note that this nearly 2 hour long episode about nutmeg was made by one person. It took about three years and a lot of work to make. I do make an effort not to repeat misinformation, but there is a LOT of it out there and sometimes something slips through. I hope you can put this aside and enjoy the rest of the episode. Thank you.

[@shadowmanwkp]

I'd also like to correct you on the situation with the Dutch presence in Indonesia at around 1:24:15 The Dutch tried to retake Indonesia as their colony after WWII. They sent their colonial army under the guise of "police actions" which resulted in a brutal guerilla war. Luckily the US and the British intervened by threatening to drop their (monetary) support of the Dutch, otherwise the Indonesian population would be oppressed again.

[@i.splech4234]

Gurl you've been cooking so no worries, love the creative approach ❤

[@sstolarik]

@@WeirdExplorer People STILL use it to make “over-ripe” food palatable. Why do you think grocery stores prep “spiced salmon” or lamb chops? Those are foods that are at their “sell-by” dates. You were right on the money.

[@judyjones5089]

Well, I think you are really right. When in college at a cafeteria, I met some girls from Ethiopia and joined them at their table. They were using this seasoning that smelled really good, kind of like chile. They offered me some of this, and put it on part of my food. Boy! It was a red pepper they brought with them from Ethiopia, and I have never had anything as spicy-hot before or sense! Later, with our dessert, they asked if I minded if they smoked. I said no, I already was, mimmicking my reaction to the spice. :)

[@stianweiseth5784]

Just to comment on the part where you excused yourself and your competency on the documentary making aspect of this, you did your part, now it's up to others to do theirs.

[@hartomos]

As an Indonesian i can said that your documentary about nutmeg is one of the best in English language, heck your's maybe even better than locals documentary. The story is so deep and interesting, not many people know about Wandan people even here in Indonesia, it's especially rare for Western people to know about this. For all off your work here i salute you.

[@RadenWA]

It’s crazy the Europeans were so eager to get to the spice islands but now that spice is worthless they just forget all about it, and now you’d be lucky to find any westerner who can recognize the name Maluku/Mollucas let alone find it in a map.

[@DenethordeSade.90]

​@@RadenWAunless someone has a special interest or is a professor of geography, I suspect zero people would be able to find it on a map, and I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who has even heard of these islands.

[@RadenWA]

@@DenethordeSade.90 or Geoguessr player…🤭

[@pcpudfm]

@@RadenWA You'd be lucky to find any indonesian who can pinpoint anything on the map too though, so it's not really a point to make

[@RadenWA]

@@pcpudfm I am an Indonesian who can pinpoint things on the map, so what’s your point?

[@rd42537]

Laying here at 3am in Malaysia watching this, really didn't know what to expect when seeing a 2h timestamp and certainly wasn't expecting I'd be left with tears running down my face and a lump in my throat by the end of it. Seriously well done for the effort you put into this and capturing the tales from those who remember from their ancestories. Remarkable work.

[@debodatta7398]

Sad part is genocide is a common topic in the histories of basically all the spices thanks to the European Colonial Powers. The rampant destruction, slavery and genocide was carried out all over the places of the world called the Global South today.

[@acolyte1951]

Woah, this video is a real mix of a fruit review, historical overview, and a cultural documentary! Perhaps one of the best videos you've ever made. And a gem on youtube that's better than many movies!

[@frostamatus]

Agreed. Give this man a big munny Netflix deal.

[@7owlfthr]

Making this available to our talented homeschool co-op lids who have very active curiosities!

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

this is not a 1:31AM thing to watch for me, ill come back and give it the respect it deserves

[@WeirdExplorer]

Yeah this one is going to give you weird dreams. 😅

[@blargcoster]

@@WeirdExplorer 12:08 Yeah, it sure would.

[@JHaven-lg7lj]

Same here, I’m not in a place where I can watch right now but I’m so looking forward to this!

[@sahilbharti7047]

@@WeirdExplorer Spanish and Portuguese were under Muslim rule , you should have added.

[@YunxiaoChu]

…

[@jacebeleren429]

I am glad you had the courage to keep weirdly exploring this story! So much work went into this and I wanted to at least buy you lunch. Keep going!

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thank you, I appreciate your support!

[@revalution1965]

Those bandanese elders talking w tears in their eyes made me cry like a baby , this was something else you out did yourself and thank you for the dedication to a single fruit

[@WeirdExplorer]

It was such a punch in the gut to get this kind of response, which is why I left part untranslated. He was only saying his family name and that they originally fled from Rhun. But its such a heavy history.

[@turbobhagwan]

I was crying too, but at least we should let ai record all the last speakers and immortalize the language for anyone who wants to learn it. @weirdexplorer that could be the positive twist, they managed to survive to the quantum computer finish line. Languages are more valuable than we can imagine, it is a style of thinking, the core code of unique cultures. So any gran gran children who wish to pick it up, it would never be fully lost.

[@bjdefilippo447]

@@WeirdExplorer I don't know how many linguists and cultural anthropologists have visited to learn about these people and their language, but I am very glad that this documentary exists.

[@cydniedonat7635]

Me too. ❤

[@Cirath01]

same.. I cried too..

[@kevinlemon3467]

This is such an amazing documentary. I teach for a living and I would love to show this to my students as a way to understand the humanity of the spice trade. History and geography is so often dry, boring stuff, but then you see this and it reminds you that everything in history is real, that it happened to real people and that the effects of that history are still being felt today. It makes it feel real. Thank you for making this.

[@WeirdExplorer]

So glad to hear it. The most amazing thing with this trip was seeing the places I was reading about come to life. I really wanted to share that experience

[@frostamatus]

I was once a young student. I can tell you... if I was under 18, the only thing I'd remember is Nutmeg is a hallucinogen! And the Dutch people were evil to the banded knees peoples...

[@reddixiecrat]

⁠​⁠@@WeirdExplorerI think something important that you missed is that the rise of the spice trade coincided with the rise of the sugar industry. Most of these spices were used in sweet porridges, drinks, and desserts. Portugal especially started sugar plantations on Madeira and the Cape Verde islands. This sugar plantation model was later spread to the Americas by the Portuguese and Spanish.

[@HP-fn4bo]

You should feed them nutmeg as they’re watching!!!!

[@MowThorn]

History is not a thing of the past. We do not have today without yesterday, and yesterday will be there tomorrow. History should be a mandatory class for all humans and should be told as it happened. No coverups, omition or manipulations.

[@BFGUITAR]

What a video! The quality and dedication deserves recognition. It is special to see your channel grow from the ground level. If you continue to produce such quality content, you will be noticed. Not to mention, you seem like a very likable person! Btw thanks to you, I managed to spot a cloudberry in the wild in the Nordics and explain to my group the specialness of it. And now I can do the same for nutmeg:)

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lucazsy]

This video should get an award.

[@garycard1456]

Quality production. A lot of thought and effort (and time!) must have gone into it. It is the travelling to these fabulous tropical places and trying out the local food dishes that brings all the initial research to life.

[@kingkarlito]

when you hear him repeating drivel like spices were used to cover up spoiled food as a fact it really makes it hard to trust the rest of the 'facts' we hear in the doc.

[@Mrbfgray]

Not terrible for a soft city boy who doesn't consume proper protein.

[@anthony_mundane]

✋ Second that! Amazing story and video... Dudes reaching new heights pleasure to watch!!!

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

its incredible OH MY GOODNESS

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

All the various shots of grinding nutmeg and nutmeg grinders as transitions was very artistic and well done. Thank you for sharing this tremendous content with us all for free.

[@Floedekage]

It was somehow terrifying. It felt like watching chains or torture devices...

[@h0ly208]

I was just about to comment how I'm absolutely in love with those transitions. It's just such an attention to detail we're missing in most of today's media.

[@justkiddin84]

@@h0ly208Exactly! It’s AI or fluff or just otherwise lazy! No real research, and they repeat the same silly stuff over and over. Big Brother loves that.

[@elly6136]

Thank you for this great video ❤ I am from The Netherlands... At school we learn about VoC and their 'heroes'. But slowly it is changing. Very slowly, but it is changing. Dutch ppl are not proud anymore about their VoC history... The statue of JP Coen in Hoorn will be removed and Amsterdam is thinking of a new name for the Coentunnel. This video should be shown on Dutch national tv and at schools.

[@aurorasandsadprose_]

Hi Indonesian here! History were written by the winner, in fact there's no winner at all. It's like 2 sides of coin, we need to read both to fully understand. Meanwhile in Indonesia those "heroes" are considered as brutal colonizer who take something that doesn't belong to them by k*lling and enslaving indigenious people. I remebered when i was a kid my mom used to told me that VOC torment our ancestor to get the spice that she cooked on my dinner, so better finish it or they will come back 😂. And also there's a popular term in Indonesia called "didikan VOC" or "VOC education" or basically means teach with violence~ But it's the past, we move on and don't have any grudge to the Dutch, it just nice to learn the history.

[@mellowlamp166]

I never thought I'd be watching a full length film about nutmeg, but this was amazing and had me captivated the entire way through. Thank you for making this wonderful film.

[@WeirdExplorer]

You're very welcome! I had a lot of fun making this one.

[@EShirako]

I know, this was much more interesting than I'd ever expected! And...the Dutch! Just...wow!

[@Zoroff74]

@@WeirdExplorer - Thanks Jared for teaching us about stuff we didn't know we were interested in. Also appreciation for the irony of a KZbinr beginning at one end of learning and sliding down the rabbit hole into something totally different and unexpected, you just did the IRL version of the good kind of YouTubing. ☺

[@drkam21]

Holy.....give him an award for producing this video 😮 3 separate trips that started with curiosity of nutmeg fruit, ended up as one of the best documentary I have seen probably this decade

[@therach7841]

@@CC-vv2ne Don't you get tired of being this kind of guy?

[@randomname7321]

I know these longer format videos probably take you AGES to make, but man I think your fruit documentaries are some of the best documentaries on youtube PERIOD. You're up there with LEMMiNO. The transitions and organization is top tier!

[@davidsaba2960]

This is ABSURDLY well done, and your pivot from "trying odd fruits guy" to...to... award-winning documentary producer / storyteller is something to behold.

[@RENO_K]

Frfrfrrr

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Right?? The evolution is genuinely inspiring to me, he turned his hobbies into this amazing community and life

[@Avo_o]

Right. Oscar worthy

[@debodatta7398]

Sad part is genocide is a common topic in the histories of basically all the spices thanks to the European Colonial Powers. The rampant destruction, slavery and genocide was carried out all over the places of the world called the Global South today.

[@greasygoose2433]

Been following Jared since about 2015ish, he has always had a very strong ability to tell the facts of the fruit he has tasted and explore the history. Since i awkwardly met him and said hello on my trip in vietnam a year or so ago, he has picked up production value in his videos immensely. So happy to see that since he is a dedicated person to this and his channel at this stage could be used almost of an encyclopedia !

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Young man, you were traveling in the tropics and it showed on your face. You were sweating so that we didn’t have to! Thanks so much for making this story come alive. I’m sharing it across my social networking.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks so much. The best part of making this was going to all the places I read about and see it come to life. It's a wonderful feeling and well worth the sweat.

[@strouty]

Very underrated.... what a beautiful documentary, thank you very much. I happen to be from Indonesian origin, my parents had to leave Indonesia although they didn't want to. I was born in the Netherlands and know very little about my ancestors' history. I can't thank you enough for this beautiful story. Very respectful and with integrity. I am disgusted by the way the Dutch murdered so many native people, stealing their properties and culture. Having symbols of slavery on the golden coach the Dutch king and his wife parade in. It's a disgrace to brag about that paar of history, in gold (!), on the other hand it's like a brand of shame and guilt, forever and for everyone to see and remember. I'm disgusted. Thank you for sharing this historical tragedy so we won't ever forget ❤ terima kasih banyak 🙏🏼

[@JustJobeMY]

This vid was such a pleasant surprise. I live in Balik Pulau literally minutes from the nutmeg farms, and get my nutmeg from some of those very shops you visited ❤

[@WeirdExplorer]

That is awesome! I bought bags and bags of spices and candy at Three Two food court, so good.

[@JustJobeMY]

​​@@WeirdExplorer haha yeah that spot would be the best bet. They process and make most of the stuff there. I tend to beeline there for nutmeg juice in their many assorted bottles to stock up the fridge 😊 Discovered your channel thru this vid. The algo overlords did their job well. Your content and the effort you put into it is so totally underrated.

[@kawaiicake8038]

What do the fruit and juice taste like??

[@thekeysman6760]

​@@JustJobeMYI really doubt this level of documentary is "underrated" at all. What are you talking about?

[@cindy-tron]

@@thekeysman6760 Are you saying it's overrated? What's wrong with saying it's underrated?

[@annavallentin4662]

Wow, incredibly eye-opening deep history, especially for me with my Dutch heritage. Thank you for this telling this fascinating story. I wish you hadn't completely brushed over The Netherlands' attempt to regain control after WWII. You simplified it by saying "When WWI ended, the power was given to Indonesia". But what really happened after WWII was that after Japan surrendered, Indonesia declared independence and The Netherlands fought against that in a 4-year-long Indonesian War of Independence from 1945 to 1949. My Dutch father was drafted, along with about 220,000 Dutch troops over the course of the war, and spent those 4 years forced to fight to try to hold onto colonial power. The Netherlands succumbed to international pressure and threats of sanctions, and recognized Indonesian sovereignty at the 1949 Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference. It was a horrible waste of lives and resources, especially when The Netherlands -- and the world -- needed to heal from the horrors of WWII.

[@11AceHearts11]

Thank you for the extra information!! Much appreciated❤

[@meredithheath5272]

👍👍👍💗🔥🔥

[@sstolarik]

Wow. I will NEVER look at my nutmeg the same way, again. Bravo, and thank you for introducing us to a beautiful people and culture.

[@margitwes6495]

I never even heard of this war and I went to school in Germany. You would think they would've mentioned it. Thank you!

[@debodatta7398]

Sad part is genocide is a common topic in the histories of basically all the spices thanks to the European Colonial Powers. The rampant destruction, slavery and genocide was carried out all over the places of the world called the Global South today.

[@sukajilat]

From Malaysia & accidently came across your nutmeg story. I really don't know why I'm spending my time to watched your entire video. But I think it was a very facinating story telling. It remind me of "common things such as nutmeg in our meal today, once was symbol of power & dominance against others nation".

[@Jablicek]

Not sure how long you can keep up this pace, but the quality of your work with these historical pieces is amazing. I hope people watch it through to hear the story of the Bandanese and how they're barely hanging on. It's obvious by some of the comments below that people haven't done so - or have drawn the wrong conclusion from the story here. There are so many endangered cultures and languages across the world, with governments wanting to homogenise their populations and media and telecoms deterring people from speaking their own languages, and perhaps this piece will spotlight a nearly-forgotten people.

[@hoboonwheels9289]

209 countries, many we have no idea about, then there are regions within countries like SW Morocco with other oppressors. I look forward to seeing the world free and abundant soon.

[@marianzlotkiewicz1582]

Thanks!

[@WeirdExplorer]

wow! thank you for your generosity

[@marcekstrand1499]

Thanks! What a wonderful video. I’m glad you returned to learn so much about the people behind the nutmeg.

[@WeirdExplorer]

thanks so much

[@exmodusgaming]

This was a masterpiece of a video Jared. I am absolutely blown away.

[@Blandge]

Somehow when I started this video, I thought it was only 12 minutes. I watched the whole damn thing. Absolutely fascinating. I didn't know you had it in you to do a whole documentary. More like this please!

[@andyoli75]

Same. I saw its length and wanted to play some so I could come back and watch it in total. One and three quarters of an hour later, I am taken aback by a story I already knew something about. He storytelling is superb.

[@daniarobinson6590]

He has other full length documentaries. Highly recommend them all

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks for the fiver. I'm already planning episode 900... for 2026 😅

[@baumgrt]

I really appreciate the effort you went through to get this epic documentary out to us. The history and a lot of the culinary knowledge isn’t very well known to most of us in Europe.

[@WeirdExplorer]

thank you!

[@henryisnotafraid]

I friggin love this content. The depth that you go to, the length of the video, it's all what I'm here for! Reminds me of the old-fashioned history channel or Discovery. Just promise me you'll never do a segment on fruit from aliens 😉

[@WeirdExplorer]

well.. I do have some plans to review fruit that only exists in folklore and legends.. but I'll keep it on the level

[@battiekoda]

​@@WeirdExplorer😂😂😂

[@StuffandThings_]

@@WeirdExplorer OOOOOH IN THAT CASE YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO SILPHIUM!!!! It has recently been potentially rediscovered after going missing during Roman times. Its kind of obtained a legendary status, so potentially rediscovering it is almost like actually finding a legendary plant of sorts. It was a VERY famous plant in the ancient world. Natgeo ran a piece on it which is probably a good start.

[@eliotnailles]

​@@WeirdExplorer do it!! sounds interesting

[@StuffandThings_]

@@WeirdExplorer OOOOOH IN THAT CASE YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO SILPHIUM!!!! It has recently been potentially rediscovered after going missing during Roman times. Its kind of obtained a legendary status, so potentially rediscovering it is almost like actually finding a legendary plant of sorts. It was a VERY famous plant in the ancient world.

[@SuperiorDave]

I am from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and i don't get to get out and travel, so the next best thing is to watch people like you discover the world and our histories. Thank you for sharing.

[@christineelsey3104]

Same sentiment... Southern Ontario.. 😊😊 ❤ a Canadian fan...

[@loa81]

Hi! I was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas. I'm an older woman, nearly 70 now. I have always loved social studies, geography, world cultures. I certainly agree that this is a wonderful way of keeping my heart and mind open, seeing places where I won't be able to visit. Take care & Merry Christmas!

[@rayellebishop8168]

I am from Arkansas also.

[@Joelmonterrey]

Same! Btw, I buy nutmeg and whole mace at the Indian grocery store next door to Drug Emporium in Little Rock. It looks small from the outside but it's actually pretty big inside and both the nutmeg and the whole mace smell incredible. I can grind these for desserts, or for chai, or add flavor to a coffee.

[@zacharybenson6195]

Random fact: Fort Smith does have a large population of immigrants & refugees especially from Southeast Asia (for example there's a population from the indigenous Karen [K'nyaw] people of Burma). These cultures often have very interesting fruits. Additionally, the city of Springdale has this as well as the USA's largest population of Marshallese (from the Marshall Islands). Their culture also eats lots of interesting fruits. Oh, also, because Fort Smith borders Oklahoma which has plenty of indigenous cultures on the eastern side, so there's some indigenous people in Fort Smith. And because of the geographical region Fort Smith is in, there's quite a bit of plant diversity nearby. This includes the Ozark chinquapin (a species of chestnut), maple-leaf oak (Quercus acerifolia), which is only found in 4 counties of Arkansas (debatably in Oklahoma), dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor) AND *a very rare hickory species called "nutmeg hickory" (Carya myristiciformis)* named for the nutmeg-like shape of the edible seeds, which are related to pecans (I think it crosses with pecan too). This species should be researched for nut production, in spite of having small seeds with thick shells. It's native further south near Texarkhana following I-30 up to Little Rock. I'm sure that there's plenty of indigenous traditional uses for each plant. In fact, I've vaguely recall reading that some evidence suggests that nutmeg hickory's range coincides with various indigenous village sites.

[@Shizukanexen]

I know I'm leaving lots of comments as I watch, but one more, figure it's good for engagement anywho. The last part of this brought me to tears! Thank you for sharing the story of these resilient people. The video of that statue getting torn down was cathartic. I love that you end on a happier note, though bittersweet. It's amazing that in your fruit journey you've always shared with us these beautiful people and their story.

[@DevashishGuptaOfficial]

There's hardly anything like this on KZbin. So raw, so moving, so informational and so adventurous at the same time!

[@TylerDollarhide]

I'm glad to see that the Banda islands don't look too urbanized. After learning about how Madagascar is seeing massive deforestation, I was a tad worried that these islands might have had a lot of land cleared out because of the spice trade. It does help that because nutmeg comes from the fruit, there is a big incentive to *not* cut down the trees.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Yeah! There is a lot of deforestation throughout Indonesia, mostly to grow palm oil. But the areas I visited in the Maluku islands didn't seem effected by it so much.

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

From his other videos, this was such a nice change, its always such a genuine look into the world

[@douggaudiosi14]

Mono crop farms are essentially deforestation. Just less ugly

[@TylerDollarhide]

@@douggaudiosi14 it didn't even look like that. It wasn't ordered enough to be an orchard.

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

@@douggaudiosi14 ye its just a bit better if its native species, tho I also did see a variety of trees around the homes and the mountains at least cause of the rough landscape but maybe your eye is more keen than mine for these

[@Robin-ps9wq]

this was such an amazing watch, and to think only one person made this whole documentary on his own, it's insane! great work man! I hope you get future sponsors on the channel so you can make more content like this

[@angelinoelle]

As a linguist that has focused on language documentation and conservation, I resonated with the genuine curiosity and empathy that led you to dig deeper. The story you told here is so necessary to lending support towards the relevance of a people, their culture, and their language. I've taught my students about the concepts of language loss but you showed it. Thank you for this video 💚

[@wykamix358]

Beautiful video we so often focus on what the European states gained from controlling the spice trade but very little on how they did it and how it affected the other end of the trade

[@andysponring5366]

Amazing work and dedication. I learned so many things from your documentary.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@animeleepocket7984]

DUDE THIS WAS AMAZING! I had NO idea about any of this besides footnotes, this was an incredible spotlight. If not for this, maybe many of us wouldn't know. Thanks, man. Thanks so much, this video is my absolute favourite of yours. I can feel the effort and reverence for everything, the gravity and the highs and lows.

[@MagereHein]

I'm a Dutch old fart and I'm glad I watched this video to the end. I've been aware of the violent and lethal history of the VOC, Coen, the Banda Island and the Dutch East Indies since I was at Uni in the 1980s, but I was much surprised to learn about the Bandanese in the Kai Islands. Thanks for that! In primary school I was taught the Dutch side of colonial history, be it a bit red-faced because we lost the East Indies just two decades ago. For many Dutch that was economically or ideologically traumatic. It's only in recent years that the Dutch government is a bit more apologetic about our exploitation and abuse of Indonesia.

[@MagisterialVoyager]

May I ask why it was traumatic? Is it the loss of capital and/or resource first and foremost?

[@gagaklumayung7995]

I'm sure what you learned in school was not the whole story and mostly full of BS

[@MagereHein]

​@@MagisterialVoyager Economically traumatic since for centuries the Dutch East Indies had been a source of income. Even the incompetent could make a fortune in the colony. Ideologically traumatic because the loss of the colony was seen as a humiliation: the thought that the Indonesians would win was - in racist Dutch eyes - impossible. Indonesian independence was only supported by the communist party, even Labour supported the colonial war. A much repeated slogan was: _Indië verloren, rampspoed geboren_ (Calamity is born when the East Indies are lost). Many Dutch men, women and children had been captive during the Japanese occupation of the East Indies and treated badly, a terrible shock to their racist mindset, and they saw the Indonesian nationalists as Japanese agents. That calamity never happened. The economic effects on a Dutch national scale were minimal thanks to post-WWII industrialisation, but the ideological trauma took decades to fade. Only in the 1980s the exploitation and abuse of the Indonesians became more widely part of the Dutch awareness, till then the colony was depicted as a heroic national enterprise, the white burden to civilize the _inlanders_ .

[@MagereHein]

@@gagaklumayung7995 In hindsight it was not so much wrong, but incomplete and very biased: white men in white suits and pith helmets bringing progress to the Asians. The racism, exploitation, abuse, violence and paternalism was left out.

[@Rem_NL]

G E K O L O N I S E E R D

[@antoniusadriannathaniel302]

Such a great documentary! Huge respect for all the research and travel you did to make this documentary, and all by yourself! You outdid a lot of organized and funded documentaries done in regards to the spice trade history, specifically about nutmeg and the history of Banda Island. Your research not only gave historical information, it serves as a preservation of Bandanese history and culture. For that, I thank you as an Indonesian. It's unfortunate that the research you did, especially the last part of the video, didn't get much attention even by most Indonesians or our research and education institutions. Not a lot of materials were published or taught regarding the descendants of the original Bandanese people. As you stated, most of the history was told through the lens of colonialist point of view, which left out a lot of important details, details which meant a lot to a specific group of people still tied to that long history. If you thought you weren't qualified to do this documentary, I'd say no one has ever been as dedicated - or as lucky, perhaps even so brave - as you have been to cover such a vast topic stemming out of one fruit, nutmeg. And, as you also stated, going in person to the place, seeing it and documenting it for all of us to see, gives a humane perspective on the subject that would otherwise have been disregarded as a casual telling of the story. It gives life to the stories told to us when we were sitting in our high school classes and it serves as a milestone for future research that must be done in order to fully understand the whole history and far reaching impact of the spice trade in Indonesia. Once again, my praise and thanks for the work you have done!

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks so much for your kind words and support!

[@BozackZodiack]

What a slamdunk of a video. That was super interesting, and perfectly fitting to what your channel is all about - so much more information than the typical superficial info videos you tend to find on KZbin these days. I loved it, thank you!!

[@MarkBurtenshaw]

Thank you for the huge amount of effort and time and heart you put into this. I wasn't sure at first that I was going to watch a nearly 2 hour long video about nutmeg... but I'm so glad I did.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks Mark. I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@KilanEatsandDrinks]

Hey! What were you doing in my neck of the woods at 34:15 there? People flying to eastern Indonesia usually transit through Makassar, not Banjarmasin. For a moment, I got my hopes up, thinking you might have done a video in my hometown in the Indonesian province of South Kalimantan! 😆 Anyway, this is such a great video about the origin and history of nutmeg. It’s fascinating yet bittersweet because, sadly, most people today barely know about the Spice Islands (Maluku), unlike the old days when Western powers were fighting over them. As an Indonesian, I find it such a shame; not just because of the lost historical awareness but also because visiting these islands is still expensive and complicated, even for us. That’s unfortunate because Maluku is breathtakingly beautiful, with so much history waiting to be explored, from the old forts left behind by the Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch to the local culture that has endured through the centuries. I really loved how you traced the Bandanese people’s journey all the way to the Kei Islands. That’s a perspective we don’t often hear about. And when you were in Malaysia, the nutmeg products you tried were great, but they leaned more toward the modern adaptations made by the ethnic Chinese community there. Discovering how the Bandanese people themselves use nutmeg in their cuisine? Now, that’s something truly special and unique. Cheers to your adventures! Looking forward to seeing where you take us next. Keep it up! 🍻

[@WeirdExplorer]

Lots from Banjarmasin coming soon! I added a couple layovers there to see some markets.

[@KilanEatsandDrinks]

@ Wait, you really visited Banjarmasin and even made a video here in the Indonesian province of South Kalimantan? That’s awesome! 😃 We’ve got plenty of exotic plants (and animals) in Borneo, but sadly, they don’t just hang out in the city for your convenience. You’ll need to venture out of Banjarmasin to find them, which, let’s be real, is easier said than done. Each Indonesian province is the size of a small country, so it’s basically a whole expedition. I hope you still found what you were looking for despite all that. And hey, next time you’re in town, hit me up; I’ll try to be a better tour guide than Google! 🙏 Cheers! 🍻

[@elenalatici9568]

Thank you so much for your enlightening comment. This documentary has, I'm quite sure, replaced the number of braincells that have gone walkabout due to aging. I didn't know that it was so expensive, even for you, to visit the Spice Islands. The soaking wet, and I assume, nauseating trip on the speed boat gives a clue as to the difficulty, but not the expense. I know I won't get there, but this extraordinary documentary will push me to far more "travel" documentaries that, hopefully, will grow more brain cells.🙏

[@selkouni7614]

This was such a breathtaking video.. My partner & I have been watching your channel for about 5 or 6 years by now, but I don't think I've ever actually taken the time to leave a comment. This time, however, I couldn't possibly let it pass. This has been a breathtaking documentary and an incredible journey that I would have never otherwise experienced if it wasn't for your hard work ( I'm a disabled viewer that won't be able to travel the world as I once wished ). Agriculture is the story of humans and people with the land and the sea that we inhabit, and since day 1 of finding your channel I've felt like I hit the jackpot of discovering a person with not only shared passion but a similar point of view and appreciation to just how much history and culture is there in every bite we take for granted. I'm truly at awe at the dedication and efforts you've poured into these incredible two hours. Thank you for bringing these untold stories to us, for being our guide in such distant shores. I couldn't be happier and more proud for to see just how far you've came and reached doing this job and sharing it with us! Here's to more adventures! ♥

[@WeirdExplorer]

thanks so much 🙏

[@debodatta7398]

Sad part is genocide is a common topic in the histories of basically all the spices thanks to the European Colonial Powers. The rampant destruction, slavery and genocide was carried out all over the places of the world called the Global South today.

[@elenalatici9568]

I love your impassioned, thoughtful comment. Please comment more. You're very good at it. I always dive into the comments, whether it's news, films, documentaries, or posts on social media. I like to know what people are thinking, especially from around the world. I find myself no longer reading comments on the news because of invasion by trolls. How refreshing it's been to read the comments here without running into trolls. I've especially enjoyed reading yours.🙏

[@ChadGardenSinLA]

⭐️🏆Thank you for bringing voice to the Banda/Bandanese people & light to the cost of western luxury. I teared up a lot at the end, as a Kapampángan American, we have a similar history. And also as a military kid growing up in Germany, I only know nutmeg as a European spice 😿

[@ShamelessLainLover]

The quality content keeps coming :) I've been following you around 6-7 years and you're one of the best content creators ever. Actual content man. Please keep being a source of reference on fruit, since I don't think there's anyone out there who can replace you.

[@anthony_mundane]

👏 Well said

[@bluesteno64]

Same here! I’ve always loved learning about unique fruits and have been watching his videos for YEARS. I’ve been able to try and prepare tons of different fruits from learning through his videos.

[@willembezemer-dp3fx]

Hard to begin ,as I was born in Rotterdam 6 months before the outbreak of WW2. In my teens I remember reading "Met Jan Pieterson naar de Kaap", a boys' adventure book .(South Africa}. Glorified Dutch history no-doubt .Emigrated to Canada in 1954 with parents@15. Became absorbed in English / Canadian culture informally without schooling. Avid reader. Only recently did I learn of some of the evil perpetrated by my ancestors regarding nutmeg . I now feel shamed and dirty because of your magnificent effort to set the record straight Thank you so much. My heart goes out to all the Bandalese decendents for the sorrows suffered on account of my ancesters.Willem Bezemer

[@Nylon_riot]

You didn't do it. All of history and nature is awful.

[@acolyte1951]

Thank you for commenting this because your perspective is interesting and valuable in its own right.

[@batsy3]

don't feel bad about it, just be grateful for the knowledge and treat people with kindness!

[@AudreyRogers-h1i]

The shame is theirs, not yours, dear sir. We all need to learn from history. Your heart is in the right place.

[@cydniedonat7635]

Bless your heart. I understand why you feel as you do, but know that your good heart makes up for your ancestors' past deeds. You are not responsible.

[@prad24]

This is probably one of the best video/ content on KZbin. Thank you! I grew up with a nutmeg tree in my backyard ( British colony) and it's enlightening to know it's history. Great job and keep doing what you are doing!

[@karenlawson7957]

unlike many youtube historical videos, this one is well researched, presented in a likable format, pronounced correctly, with correct grammar and thoroughly enjoyable. Had no problem watching it from beginning to end. Thank you for your very hard work

[@agunlogisteam]

Thank you Jared. As an Indonesian i am in awe and also ashame because i havent got a chance to visit Banda. Not just visit, but also learn the history. Yes we all taught some of it from history lesson. But as a child, history is a boring lesson without any meaningful presence in my memory. Now i am an adult and currently re learning about history of our own, im envious of this trip. But i guess i could start somewhere near. Im in Bandung, another colonial era center. Preangerplanters with the tale of tea and coffee is interesting too. But again, thank you Jared. For reminding us of our own history.

[@debodatta7398]

Sad part is genocide is a common topic in the histories of basically all the spices thanks to the European Colonial Powers. The rampant destruction, slavery and genocide was carried out all over the places of the world called the Global South today.

[@elenalatici9568]

I bet the tale of tea and coffee is interesting. Probably much more than interesting. As for history being boring, I was fortunate to have my 8th grade teacher in her one room school house, make Greek and Roman history so compelling that I remember the entire cast of characters and what they accomplished and destroyed. I don't think there is an excuse for making history classes boring. None at all. A course in the art of story telling should be required for all future teachers and for history majors as well, should they ever step into realm of teaching. There are no greater stories in existence than the ones contained in history, yet so many remain hidden, buried and not even allowed into the textbooks from which children get their alleged facts. This documentary is a prime example of how a history lesson can become unforgettable.

[@agunlogisteam]

@elenalatici9568 couldnt agree more with that. I guess jared will interested about tea history some time later. I bet he havent tried eating tea tree fruit. (It exists!)

[@xaviercaceres8989]

This video randomly popped up on my KZbin homepage. I read the title and had no idea what "nutMeg" was (nuez moscada in Spanish)... The title caught my attention, so I clicked on it. I didn’t plan on watching the whole thing, but I ended up really enjoying it. The content is super interesting, and the way you presented all the info kept it engaging and not boring at all. Honestly, it was such a nice surprise, so now I’m a new subscriber. Greetings from Argentina!

[@mikebel74]

Wow. That was one of the best nearly 2 hours I’ve spent watching a documentary. Well done, Jared. I’ll never look at nutmeg the same way again. But I’ll still use it because it’s such a great addition to so many cuisines. On to see about joining the channel or joining Patreon. You have a very special and unique channel on KZbin. I was blown away by your nutmeg documentary. You’re the David Attenborough of fruit. That might sound weird, but I meant it as the highest compliment.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@acolyte1951]

You're nuts for creating such a worthwhile video. What a treat! (After watching the video, I am glad you had such an awesome adventure. I'm sure some historians and other people would love to have done something like this. Like a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' that most humans don't/can't ever do! As someone interested and invested in history, this is such a valuable video. Not only cause it mentions stuff from 400 years ago, but because there is so much atmosphere/flavor/texture that is both modern and old. 'Time goes by but the fruit tree still stands...' or something like that.)

[@WeirdExplorer]

Glad you liked it!

[@xiraoit9342]

I love nut

[@loganlogon3720]

Your stop motion is fantastic! I swear there is nothing quite as magical as seeing someone take the time to frame by frame make these things!🤩

[@WeirdExplorer]

Wow, thank you! I am brand new to it. Still figuring it out as I go.

[@loganlogon3720]

@@WeirdExplorer You are very welcome!😄

[@hopegold883]

One of the few filmic techniques that isn’t ruined by knowing how the sausage is made.

[@incognitoatunknown2702]

I never imagined that I would be moved to tears watching a video about a fruit but here we are. This is the most important work you've done Jared and well done.

[@zacharybenson6195]

OMG same.

[@AdamRapW]

I once visited Grenada on an adventure vacation, with the goal of experiencing a cacao farm and meeting a local chocolate producer. Walking down the road, I saw these large trees with split "peaches" that had dark red centers. Then I saw baskets full of, what I would later learn was mace, drying in the sun. I thought they looked like alien brains. What a cool plant....and now I know, not so cool history.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Cool! I would love to go to Grenada sometime, nutmeg is such an important part of their cuisine there.

[@AdamRapW]

@@WeirdExplorer It's a surprisingly quick flight from NYC. You'd get a kick out of riding across the island on their "buses," which are really just vans that have been converted to have as many seats as possible. The people and culture are beautiful. I went to the Grenada Chocolate Company. The founder had a whole collection of youtube videos, and I was hoping to meet him, but it turned out he passed away after falling off a ladder. I learned that after arriving and asking if it was possible to meet him. But now the company is locally owned and operated, and you can taste the fresh chocolate as it comes out of the molds. It's the best chocolate I've ever had, and tasted like bananas. The streets around the farm and chocolate factory (really just a house) are lined with cocoa trees and nutmeg. Hopefully hurricane Beryl didn't decimate the area this past June.

[@doreenramsey1016]

​@@AdamRapWthe buses came from Japan like that. It is made especially for the Caribbean. They are all Toyota. We don't convert them they came brand new this way.

[@doreenramsey1016]

The buses are made for the Caribbean and came readymade with all the seats. They are Toyota and came from Japan brand new.

[@Blkscorpio]

@@WeirdExplorerNot just the cuisine, Grenada is known as the Spice isle of the West, nutmeg and mace along with cocoa have been our main exports. 🇬🇩

[@haytguugle8656]

No kidding; this is one of the best travel-documentaries I've seen in many, many years. And I'm including a raft of shows/series produced for major channels on the boob-tube. And more, miles above the litany of crap being foisted on youtube viewers claiming to be "content". (I hate that word and all that it stands for) This is valid, movie making; of a very particular type, to be sure. But there's no a.i. voice or random photos that have nothing to do with the narration. Everything is well done. Script is well laid out in a flow that keeps the story interesting and progresses logically. The facts are believable because they are presented well and supported by some kind of secondary input (image, video, interview, etc.) This kind of work takes time and dedication to the craft. It can't be thrown together in a weekend to create a click-bait youtube ad grab. Though it deserves the attention of monetary reward that should be coming its way. Whether that happens or not, I wanted to at least make sure it was make clear that this work needs to be appreciated, and that appreciation made clear and made public. So, thank you for your work. It's obvious you enjoy what you do. This is the first time I've come across your channel. But I will be looking to see more. Good luck and please keep it up.

[@elenalatici9568]

Bravo!!! I came across this documentary this morning, saw the 2 hr time stamp and my immediate thought was "Don't do this; you have too much to do." But, as a "nutmegger" coming from the nutmeg State of Connecticut, I couldn't resist. For once I'm grateful for my advanced talent in the art of procrastination. Not a breath of this history have I ever been aware of. Of the colonizers, the Dutch, the English, the Spaniards, I know a great deal, but this was eye-opening. I hope it will bring some awareness at least to save the Bandanese language and culture. I live in Italy where, once there was no Italian spoken outside of Tuscany. Every region, sometimes even villages spoke dialects that were incomprehensible to anyone outside of the region or town. My Ferrarese grandparents, Aunts and Uncles spoke a dialect that was/is a combination of French and Italian but often sounds Chinese. It was mostly what I heard as a very young child. Now, in Italy, there are dialect courses springing up everywhere, lest they disappear forever. I hope the same thing could happen for the Bandanese people, whose role in history deserves to be told to its children in their original language.

[@jmcg2469]

One of the best shows Ive seen on youtube. Thank you so much for being objective, thoughtful, and thorough. Thank you for not being afraid of longer content. Wonderful! Please keep it going! We need you in these days of misinformation and insanity.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks everyone who has been watching the channel over the years. And if you are new here, welcome. Here's a playlist of other episodes you may like: kzbin.info/aero/PLvGFkMrO1ZxJldWKpSAhhnxuPYVeCt8oj

[@xiraoit9342]

Durian?

[@rocketamadeus3730]

Thank you for all the work you've put in. Nobody else is documenting these fruits in such a publicly in depth way.

[@romanes_eunt_domus]

Dude I've been watching you for like 6-7 yrs now, I've learned so much! I can't thank you enough for all your hard work ❤

[@paulamccarthy9511]

@@xiraoit9342 Several videos about different species of Durian

[@jourdanbetsch5073]

Any chance you could tell me the name of the song that plays around 3-4 minutes in? It’s hauntingly beautiful.

[@ryanpena610]

So happy to have been able to see this awesome movie in person. Thank you so much Jared for sharing the candied nutmeg with everyone! Keep up the amazing work.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks for coming out Ryan! Nice meeting you :)

[@lavenderdust7912]

This video is enormous work with incredibly in depth research, and it's absolutely outstanding how you actually went there to fully research the history and talk to the locals. Also, it's especially outstanding how you decided to do all this work because you wanted to shed a light on the history of these communities. I'm shocked at how little views this video has when compared to how valuable the content is.

[@evelynhaase2665]

This is one of the better KZbin videos I’ve EVER watched! Thank you for posting something so respectful to those who have been and still are impacted by the spice trade.

[@sirearlgrey2036]

I have a few things I want to comment on: 1) I had to spend a night in Newark airport once. It might or might not be the worst airport in the world, but it's the worst I've been through. There is hostile architecture inside the airport terminals, after security. Why? It's an airport, god forbid people be tired while traveling and want to lay down. The food prices are absolutely insane too. We're talking $15 for even a small self-checkout grab-and-go coldcut sandwich. 2) I'm enjoying the effort put into the interstitials. More of that, please. 3) The way you're pronouncing Melacca is funny to me because I know a bit of Greek and it sounds exactly like the common Greek insult μαλακα (malaka) 4) I appreciate that you're teaching the untold history here. That's the sort of thing I'm always eager to hear more about.

[@President_Starscream]

I DO appreciate what you go through for this channel, and I hope it enjoys even greater success in the future, as you and your content have earned it!

[@chronopath]

I am Malaysian and learned about Malacca, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British in history books as a child. Last year I was scubadiving in the Banda area and spent a little bit of time in Banda Neira and Run. So this topic is close to my heart. So well researched and the story is well told. Thank you for sharing. It was 1 hour 45 mins well spent.

[@Shiznittlebizbampop1]

I haven't finished the video. But I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your long form videos. I already know a fair amount of the history behind nutmeg, and as I can see from the videos title. It seems like you're ACTUALLY going to get into a lot of the details that most people don't know about. And I absolutely love that you're doing that/made this video. EDIT: I absolutely loved this. And I have to now admit my full ignorance about everything nutmeg other than knowing how to use it as a spice. This was very interesting, entertaining and eye opening. Thank you for putting as much care as you did into this (And all of you're other) video.

[@CLoveR52806]

I love history, food, and anthropology - I had no idea that I'd be taking such a beautiful and painful trip through some of my favorite subjects. Great work! Thank you for going into the geopolitics of nutmeg.

[@rich1051414]

I like nutmeg because it has a very specific flavor that seems to change whether it's put on savory or sweet things. I totally understand why it was so sought after when spices were expensive and rare. Mace is a bit like cinnamon, a bit like black pepper.

[@dcpunk4]

This video turned out to be so much cooler than expected. What a great history lesson and a treat with all the views. Makes me want to make these trips myself.

[@diannabravo4978]

Your commitment to the true history means more than most people realize. A language can be lost in a single generation, along with the ceremonies and practices that weave together the fabric of the culture. Gratitude.

[@gregregregregregregre]

Someone send this to Townsends!

[@beautyonabarnbudget]

Was just going to comment this-you beat me to it! 😜

[@Mrbfgray]

16:00 these death cults are bazar.

[@SoaringMoon]

@Townsends

[@numinous2506]

Hello fellow tavern dweller.

[@BasementRuthie]

Yup haha I thought the same I guess they'll have quite a few people sending it their way.

[@rahhmennoodles338]

Man, that's awesome that the Bandanese people were able to maintain their own authority of their island. It's nice to see an example of an indigenous people able to continue being sovereign over their own land up until today. Just imagine if other indigenous populations around the world were able to fight off western/eastern powers in the same way.

[@robertschnobert9090]

I agree that it's awesome, but sovereign indigenous people directly contradict capitalism. Our system depends on eternal economic growth. Indigenous people are a market to be conquered and exploited.

[@Plasmafox]

@robertschnobert9090 these people sell things for a living... they are capitalists

[@rahhmennoodles338]

@robertschnobert9090 What I'm saying is it's interesting to see an example of a people that were already playing the capitalist game when the capitalists arrived. So they were able to prosper up until today.

[@enablechaos6344]

amazing video ❤❤ as you've grown to bigger and bigger opportunities, you've always exemplified the balance of the privilege to go & do extraordinary things, and the respect & groundedness to treat that life with respect.. amazing, keep up the great work and keep following those powerful feelings & experiences, the only one who can be you the best is you :)

[@StAmander]

I’m very happy to hear this.

[@jorispattyn9690]

I started to view this video because I'm very interested in spices, and had viewed other of your video's as well. Here you went much further, and I can only applaud you for it. It is done very thoughtful and discreet, yet revealing. Congratulations.

[@damonbanks259]

What an amazing story! I grew up in South Africa as a remnant of the Dutch settlement here at the Cape in 1652 to supply fresh produce to the ships of the VOC on their way to the Spice Islands. I heard about the atrocities and enslavement but your story is the most comprehensive and heartfelt version I've ever heard. Thanks for all the effort and time and emotional investment. 😊

[@fyeelessarndra3392]

1:46:23 correct me if I'm wrong but also one of the reasons why the Portuguese left Banda was because they've successfully cultivated nutmeg (plus blackpepper and cloves) in their colonies in southern India (in and around Goa) and Sri Lanka. It was a shorter route from there to Europe, and India/Sri Lanka also had cinnamon and tea, so what they used to travel the world for, now all grew in one place.

[@payamdamghani3232]

and Grenada in the West Indies

[@muhammadnurabdillah371]

​@@payamdamghani3232 Yes, The Nutmeg is Also Successfully Cultivated in West Indies, so, Now in Western Hemisphere, the Nutmeg commodity doesn't come from Asia Anymore

[@kikoempis]

I don't think so, but that's plausible. During that time, the Portuguese throne lacked an heir. It ended up being governed by the Spanish, from 1580 to 1640. And the Spanish at that time were at war with the Netherlands and England. During that war, the Portuguese colonies were not looked after. The Spanish kept their focus on their war and their colonies. Portugal lost a lot of their colonies in the Indic ocean, where they used to rule before. With that lack of focus and defense, many lands were lost to the Dutch. Even a part of Brazil and Angola, that were reposessed afterwards, but the posessions in the Indic were never recovered, as when Portugal regained it's independance, it was too weak and broke to be able to fight the Dutch and the English, that became the major powers by then.

[@baptistepythoud2136]

Really enjoyed this documentary. Partly because I'm a nutmeg lover (and juste learned that was the english name), and because your english is so understandable for a french speaking person like me (didnt need the subtitle and sped the speed 1.5x). Thanks and congrats

[@CKellyCs2]

This is one of the best KZbin videos I have watched in awhile

[@paulahansen3758]

This was a completely surprising trip down a rabbithole that was so eyeopening! So much of our history has been hidden from us. When my husband and I lived in S. America, we began to realize how destructive the colonizers really were, leaving the indigenous people to struggle for survival as well as live at the bottom of a European class system. Thank you so much for taking this journey as far as it needed to go to tell the real story.🙌🏼🥰🖖🏼

[@Veronica.John10-10]

yeah but also the native societies get painted in an all-too-positive victim's plight that make the pagan witchcraft and religious human/child sacrifices get overlooked.

[@elenalatici9568]

I spent two summers in Guatemala as a teenager, '61 & '63. That's when I became a Socialist.

[@daemon2426]

I appreciate how you show their riteous anger. You didn't shy away from the truth of how spices came to be so common for people on the west. This was an amazing watch. I hope you're able to do similar trips for other fruits, nuts, and spices.

[@bertiecurlynoodie]

What a beautiful documentary. You really went above and beyond on this one, thank you. My heart goes out to the beautiful people who are the descendants of those who fled the genocide. I wish there were a way they could be repatriated to their homeland if that’s what they wanted for themselves.

[@wdwerker]

I love that a curiosity about the spice lead to a excellent story about the people who grew it and defended themselves until it was prudent that they move to save themselves. I’ve liked nutmeg and mace for many years and have a deeper appreciation of it now. Many thanks and best wishes to the Bandanese people.

[@ianthescourge1]

Loved your first foray into the long-form documentary! What a mind-blowing topic, I had no idea of the history. Really glad you did all the legwork to make such a great presentation!

[@juliag.7898]

this is amazing! I was sad about the history and what happened to the original Banda people, and then you did part 3 on the Kei islands!😃, thank you for telling this story❤

[@smellycat249]

Your documentaries are a treasure. Thank you so much for taking the time to make them

[@JoseA.Carsolio]

Hello! Congrats for your interesting investigation. The production lasts nearly 2 hours, but I spent a whole day, stopping and digging about geography and history upon your work. Thanks! And greetings from México City.

[@sstolarik]

Wow. I will NEVER look at my nutmeg the same way, again. Bravo, and thank you for introducing us to a beautiful people and culture.

[@debodatta7398]

Sad part is genocide is a common topic in the histories of basically all the spices thanks to the European Colonial Powers. The rampant destruction, slavery and genocide was carried out all over the places of the world called the Global South today.

[@blancdespair7678]

what an interesting video, even though it almost a movie long but it felt like only half an hour. Your channel is seriously underrated for the work and effort you've put in.

[@federicomezzina5784]

This must be the best documentary about nutmeg in existence. I look forward to watching all your other videos. Great channel! 👏👏

[@fidelismitakda1138]

Thank you for coming to my country, especially to Maluku. I really love fruits, so one day 6 or 7 years ago I searched for video about fruit and that's when I found your channel. I have watched yours since then. And thank you for making this video, I know this story from school and from my families, but I never go there and see it. If you stop at Penang, I would be very dissapointed.

[@REZrblde]

You just earned yourself a new patreon member Jared. This is probably my most favourite video of yours so far. Its informative without getting boring. Its creative and passionate. Hopefully this video would lead to more videos like it in the future where you dive deep into the history of fruits and all.

[@WeirdExplorer]

thanks so much. It's the direction I'd like to go with the channel. takes a lot more work to do, but I'm hoping to get one or two out each year that are more history focused

[@gonnaga9302]

Did NOT expect I'd look this documentary about nutmeg through when I clicked it and saw its length. But here I am. Well done, great doecumentary!

[@hinoboru]

I cannot believed I’d finish watching an almost 2 hours documentary. Respect and gratitude for your efforts making these video! If you come KL again I’ll treat you a nutmeg cuisine!

[@ontic2354]

As someone with significant Dutch heritage and history from Indonesia during those times (now Australia) it’s really interesting to think about that volcanic eruption and the timing of it, and how I probably wouldn’t exist without that eruption at that point. Don’t even have to go far down the butterfly effect wormhole, my great grandfather simply wouldn’t have gotten the important job he did there at that point, and my ‘thread’ would disappear. Of course all our histories are like this, especially with the world wars following, but I never knew of that particular eruption at that point, so it was a learning moment. I really like this long form historic deep dive format, and looking forward to more. It’s obvious how much serious work this single episode was for you. Well done, and thanks.

[@joeyho5134]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey through time. Nutmeg revealed the People of the Banda Islands and their descendants through you. Respect and admiration for you and your journeys.

[@FauxNii]

Congratulations on reaching another milestone episode, Jared! I can't thank you enough for introducing me to an incredible variety of fruits that I never even knew existed before discovering your channel. Your videos not only expand my knowledge of different fruits but also provide fascinating insights into their histories and the cultures they come from. Wishing you continued success and looking forward to the next 100 episodes (and many more beyond!)!

[@thekeysman6760]

And the winner of the documentary format nominations goes to Weird Explorer! 🎉😮 Brilliant. Well done. Thank you.

[@jeffmathews218]

Jarad / Jeff - Terima Kasih Ban Yak - a beautifully crafted documentary - I have sat SPELL BOUND thru the 2hrs - CHEERS BUDDY - I am ex pat Kiwi living in Bali with a thirst for Indonesian history - Your film has added immensely to my knowledge THANK YOU

[@zachwistuk549]

From a long time viewer here… this is absolutely fantastic. You researched it well, you poured your heart into the cinematography, the stop motion transition was such a fun small touch, everything about this just screams tender love and care about a passion project. You took something that most people wouldn’t have given a second thought to, and turned it into an important and enlightening conversation. Truly truly, kudos to you for putting this piece of art into the world for us all to enjoy. Thank you!

[@Sulq]

Stunningly good video, you really have grown as a documentarist. Thanks for the years of great videos! And thanks for visiting finland! Man, would I have loved to show you some of my favourite cloudberry picking places :D.

[@bunnytakepon]

The story is like a rollercoaster ride. I first watched it for the history of nutmeg from the perspective of a non native Indonesian, but then I got so emotional and cried like a baby when it came to the story of the Bandanese living in Kei Besar. Thank you so much for providing such an amazing story about the nutmeg and its people. One of the best documentary I've ever watched through my life, God bless you and your family

[@suudsuu]

I'm grateful you took the time to delve into this story and experience/reveal the depth to which "the Spice Trade", and entire era of kraven exploitation, violence and skull-duggery harmed both lands and peoples like the Bandanese people, as well as how the initial harms carry on largely unanswered for and unresolved to this day. To study fruit, or food generally, or raw resource extraction across the globe is to get a peek at the vast and historic interlocking systems of oppression and exploitation, turning death and destruction into currency. Learning of this machine will threaten to overwhelm you if you do not keep your wits and rely on the people you love to help keep you centered, but at the end of the day, you need to know you've done a good thing by sharing this story. As much as you're able, keep going.