Ternate & Tidore (Cloves)

Ternate and Tidore claim the title of the world's original clove capitals, producing 80% of the global clove supply in the 16th century, a dominance unmatched by Banda Islands (Nutmeg)’s nutmeg legacy. These twin volcanic islands in North Maluku were the sole source of cloves for centuries, sparking Portuguese and Dutch competition that reshaped Southeast Asia.