Singapore


Singapore’s fruit and spice plantations

S ingapore’s historical relationship with fruit and spices has been well documented since the arrival of the British in 1819. Cultures of the East and the West came together to trade in Singapore, developing the island’s interest in growing its own fruit and spices.

Our historical landscape

A nyone familiar with Singapore’s sophisticated modern landscape may be surprised to imagine that not so long ago fruit and spice plantations covered the island. Close your eyes when you visit the following places, take a deep breath and imagine…

Ann Siang Hill – Nutmeg
Bedok – Coconut
Bukit Timah Road – Pepper and Gambier
Cuppage Road – Nutmeg
D’Almeida Street – Coffee, Coconut and Sugarcane
Duxton Hill – Nutmeg (estimated 1800 trees)

Fort Canning Hill – Singapore’s First Botanical and Experimental garden started by Sir Stamford Raffles, including Nutmeg and Cloves
Geylang Serai – Lemongrass
Jalan Jintan – Cumin
Jalan Kayu Manis – Cinnamon and Cassia
Nutmeg Road – Nutmeg
Joo Chiat Road – Nutmeg, Pepper and Gambier

Tanjong Katong – Coconut
Orchard Road – Nutmeg, Pepper and a variety of Fruit including a Pineapple plantation
Oxley Road – Nutmeg trees (137 acres)
River Valley – Pepper and Gambier
Jalan Lada Puteh – Pepper

Thomson and Changi Road – Nutmeg, Gambier, Coconut and Fruit
White House Road – Betelnut and Nutmeg
Yio Chu Kang Road – Pepper and Gambier