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PBS News Hour

How nutmeg became a Thanksgiving staple

Season 2017 Episode 1242 | 4m 35s

Now a Thanksgiving staple, nutmeg used to be worth its weight in gold. The spice, originally grown only on the island of Banda Rhun, was so attractive to the Dutch East India Company that it traded its ownership of land that is now New York City for sole control of its trade. Why was our favorite eggnog garnish so valuable to 15th-century explorers? Special correspondent Mike Cerre has the answer.

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