Once, nutmeg was worth its weight in gold. For much of human history, the tiny Banda Islands in Indonesia were the only source of this esteemed spice. From the age of the Silk Roads through to the mid-19th century partial shift of production to the Caribbean, covering battles between the Honourable East India Company and the Dutch Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, this book traces the story of nutmeg, revealing its extensive and often surprising influence over conflict, politics, social mores, and Western society. Beautiful antique silver, gold, enamel, bone, ivory, treen and Tunbridgeware graters and rasps demonstrate how much nutmeg was valued throughout history. This book gathers pictures of some of the finest examples world-wide, alongside mechanical and base metal graters and spice containers. It illustrates, and provides useful information on, the history of pomanders which were associated with nutmeg, as this spice was once thought to ward off pestilence and plague. Combining the social history of nutmeg with explanations of the spice production and transportation process, and illustrating in detail examples in international nutmeg grater collections and museums, this book is the essential reference work for collectors, antique dealers and auctioneers.

A Garden of Herbs by Eleanour Sinclair Rohde. This book is primarily intended for those who are going to create an old fashioned herb garden, and who want to know how to use these herbs as our great grandmothers did: but even if you buy your herbs at the store, this practical handbook will show you how to make hundreds of teas, syrups, conserves, pies, candied flowers and leaves, wines, sweet waters and perfumes from well known wild and garden herbs that are readily available. Most of the recipes are taken from old English herbals (Gerard's herbal, John Evelyn's Acetaria, Coles Art of Simpling and many others) and the author one of the two or three most outstanding herbalists of this century adds many more of her own. Miss Rohde first provides a brief historical description of the herb garden, discussing some of the major books on herbs that have been written in England since the Anglo-Saxon Bald's leech book. Then in a long chapter entitled "Sundry of herbs" she lists the common herbs in alphabetical order, giving descriptions, recipes, hints on preservation, etc, for each one. There are recipes in this chapter for such dishes as artichoke pie, chervil broth, pickled cow slips, dill pickles, marigold pudding, nettle spinach, sauce eglantine (from roses), tarragon vinegar, violet cakes and wormwood brandy. There is an entire chapter on salads made with all kinds of herbs, which includes recipes for vinegar and mustard. ther chapters cover herb pottages and puddings, drinks and homemade wines (from mint, currants, lemons, dandelions, blackberries, sage, apples, gooseberries, apricots, turnips, etc) and some additional recipes- almond milk, beet-root biscuits, parsnip cakes, potato pie, and many more unusual herb foods. A practical chapter on the picking and drying of herbs and a final chapter on the use of herbs for scents (in pomanders, ointments, bath waters, eau de cologne and other perfumes) complete the volume. Miss Rohde's charming presentation and the ease with which her herbal lends itself to hours of browsing, will make this book a source of delight for anyone interested in plants or their lore.

Why coconut? Sales of coconut oil are skyrocketing as health-conscious people everywhere are embracing the health benefits of this wonder food.

Coconut oil has been shown to: Lower bad cholesterol Boost thyroid function Burn abdominal fat, and Boost energy and endurance.

Its sister product, coconut flour, is: Gluten-free High in fiber and protein, and A great wheat substitute.

Rejoice, then, in more than 75 mouthwatering coconut oil and coconut flour recipes paired with beautiful photographs. Every dish is gluten-free, grain-free, and uses fat-busting, superfood-worthy coconut oil. Here are dishes such as High-Protein Lemon-Poppyseed Muffins, Cauliflower-Crusted Pizza, and Slow Cooker Pork Roast. They are fresh, tasty, and above all, great for you on so many levels.