FAKFAK, West Papua – Nestled among fragrant nutmeg trees and steps away from a white sandy beach in West Papua, a hilltop village has found new ways of making the most out of its prized spices. 

Sakartemen village sits on a lush hill called Hargendik in Fakfak, which is known for its nutmeg. During harvest season, farmers hack away with machetes at the thick bushes covering the ground, searching for the large, slightly curved fruits that litter the hill by the thousands. These fruits are nothing like the smaller versions found in other parts of Indonesia.