The British are determined to secure control over the spice-rich island of Run in the Banda Islands. To do so, they need a strong, capable leader, and they find this in East India Company officer Nathaniel Courthope.

As the Dutch intensify their efforts to seize Run, Courthope confronts formidable obstacles, from building defenses to managing dwindling food supplies and the loss of British ships. Amid fierce battles, grueling conditions for British prisoners, and Courthope’s desperate attempts to hold out as supplies run low, the struggle escalates.

From assassinations to shifting alliances, the political fallout of the spice trade wars are immense. How will Britain respond when Run is lost to the Dutch? What events led to the brutal Massacre of Amboyna? And how did the English ultimately break the Dutch monopoly on nutmeg?

Join John and special guest Giles Milton for the gripping conclusion of this tale of adventure, betrayal, and the fight for control over one of the world's most coveted spices.

Order the special 25th anniversary copy of Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton here.

In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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"Nutmeg, the seed of the tree, was the most coveted luxury in seventeenth-century Europe, a spice held to have such powerful medicinal properties that men would risk their lives to acquire it." - Giles Milton, Nathaniel's Nutmeg

In the seventeenth century, a fierce rivalry emerged between the British and the Dutch in the East Indies over the lucrative spice trade. Nutmeg, a rare and highly prized spice native to the Banda Islands, fueled the establishment and rapid expansion of both the British and Dutch East India Companies, each determined to control the trade.

Reaching these distant islands was perilous, with expeditions facing violent storms, outbreaks of disease, unfamiliar cultures, and the constant threat of piracy. Despite these challenges, both powers were relentless in their pursuit of nutmeg.

With the Dutch securing an early foothold in the region and equipped with a more formidable fleet, they were intent on eliminating British influence to establish a global monopoly on nutmeg. But could they achieve their goal? Or would the British hold on against the odds—and at what cost?

Join John and special guest Giles Milton in the first episode of our two-part series on the spice trade wars as they delve into how a single spice from a group of remote Pacific islands would shape the course of world history.

Order the special 25th anniversary copy of Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton here.

In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Join the History of Fresh Produce Club (https://app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com/access/) for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.

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@historyoffreshproduce

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In this episode, we delve into the complex tapestry of Salem's early years, exploring how agricultural life intertwined with rising tensions that ultimately led to the infamous witch trials.

Join John and Patrick as they recount the arrival of Puritan settlers in 1626 and the ensuing rivalry between the wealthy Porter and conservative Putnam families. Discover how economic disparities, religious fervor, and environmental factors—including the role of contaminated crops—created a fertile ground for hysteria.

As we uncover the darker implications of daily life in Salem, we reveal how fresh produce not only sustained the community but also became a symbol of fear and division.

Tune in for a deep dive into one of America’s most haunting historical episodes, where food and fear were inextricably linked.

In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Join the History of Fresh Produce Club (https://app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com/access/) for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.

Instagram, TikTok, Threads:

@historyoffreshproduce

Email: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com