Custard Apple - El Salvador

Joya de Cerén was thriving agricultural village in the Zapotitan Valley. The site was threatened by an eruption of the Ilopango volcano in 200 AD and buried in 590 AD by the eruption of Loma Caldera. The pristine archaeological conditions of this site has earned it the title of being the “Pompeii” of the New World.

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Annona reticulata - The custard apple tree is native to the Caribbean and Central American regions. The flesh of the custard apple has a creamy white texture and is used as an flavoring ingredient in beverages and ice cream. It belongs to the Annonaceae family and includes soursop, sweetsop, and cherimoya. The custard apple is not as desirable as the other Annonaceae species because of the inconsistency of taste and texture. Having a low seed count is one popular feature of the custard apple; some trees produce seedless fruit.

Nutmeg - Grenada

Myristica fragrans - The nutmeg tree is an evergreen growing to 21 meters. It does not bear fruit until the 7th year. The nutmeg spice is derived from the inner part of the tree’s brown seeds. The bright-red membrane partly covering the seed produces mace, a fragrant resin. Until the 19th century, the source for the coveted nutmeg spice was limited to Indonesia’s Banda Islands. Indonesia remains the primary producer of this spice, but Grenada ranks 2nd in nutmeg production.

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The French were the first to gain control of Grenada. A party of 203 men, led by Governor Jacques Dyel du Parquet of Martinique, arrived in 1649, built a fortified settlement at Fort Annunciation, and began the process of establishing a thriving sugar and indigo industry. In 1674, Grenada, having been held by chartered French companies since 1649, officially became a French colony. The French lost Grenada to the British in 1762, during the Seven Years War. Grenada became an independent country in 1974.

Bull Bay Magnolia - Mississippi

The southern states are the primary source for the production of cotton within the United States. The Confederate States of America used the slogan “King Cotton” in their domestic and foreign strategy to legitimize their secession and to win the support of France and Great Britain in recognizing the Confederacy.

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Magnolia grandiflora - There are over 200 species of magnolia. The bull bay or southern magnolia is an evergreen tree native to the Southeastern United States. Magnolia trees rarely exceed 35 meters in height. The fragrant flowers are produced in early spring and have a diameter of 30 centimeters. The magnolia is typically found near the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers or in swampy areas. It is grown for ornamental purposes, but the lumber is used extensively in the manufacturing of furniture.

Canango Tree - Philippines

Cananga odorata - Commonly called ylang-ylang by the locals, the cananga tree is native to the Philippines, but is cultivated throughout Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and the Comoros Islands. The cananga is a fast growing tree, averaging 12 meters in height. The clusters of fruit serve as an important food source for birds. The essential oils of the cananga tree, extracted from the drooping flowers, are used in the manufacturing of perfumes and as a food additive to enhance flavor.

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Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines in 1521 marked the beginning of a long association between Spain and the Philippines. In 1543, the islands were named in honor of King Philip II. Spain retained colonial control for more than 300 years, losing the Philippines to the United States in 1898, with the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. The Japanese briefly occupied the Philippines during World War II, but lost control back to the United States. The Philippines were granted independence in 1946.