A visit to the ‘Spice Isle’ would be incomplete without taking in the famous ‘Spice Tour. Zanzibar and Pemba supply 75% of the world’s cloves, which were not introduced as a cash crop until 1818. Now the smell of the island’s major export pervades the islands, especially during the harvest season between July and December. The clove is actually the unopened bud of the clove tree, which grows as much as fifteen metres high and blossoms with crimson flowers. The spice is collected in baskets and laid out to dry in the sun for four to seven days. When the buds have turned from a golden brown to a deep, dark brown they are graded, packed and loaded in Zanzibar harbour for export. The islands also grow nutmeg, lemon grass, black pepper, cardamom and cinnamon, all of which can be seen growing in the spice plantations alongside numerous exotic tropical fruits. The organized tour stops to see and smell and taste the tropical fruits and spices, plus offers information on what they may be used for. It usually ends with ginger tea in the afternoon. Visitors can also purchase spices and spice oils at very economic prices.