Over time, Yankee peddlers developed a reputation for selling fake nutmegs made of carved wood. Customers unfamiliar with the native form of the spice decided they had been sold a counterfeit or “wooden nutmegs” after futilely trying to grind the unusually hard seed instead of the hard-aromatic seed of the nutmeg tree.
How can you tell the quality of nutmeg?
High-quality nutmeg should be oil-rich, whole, unbroken and without stalks, and must not contain any woody, brittle nutmeg. It should be reddish-brown to brown in colour and the head should be light brown and closed.
What’s a wooden nutmeg?
The American English term wooden nutmeg, meaning “anything false or fraudulent,” dates from 1829, when Connecticut traders were known to place fake wooden nutmegs in batches of real ones to defraud customers.
Is nutmeg made out of wood?
Nutmeg is the common name for a dark-leaved evergreen tree, Myristica fragans, that is cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit, “nutmeg” and “mace.” Nutmeg is produced from the dried, ripe, inner seed and mace from the seed coat (arillus) that separates the seed from its outer husk.
Why was nutmeg used so much in the 18th century?
Nutmeg became popular among the 17th and 18th century upper class and started being used more for culinary purposes to flavor alcoholic beverages, such as punch, wine and cider.
Are there different types of nutmeg?
The most important species commercially is the Common or Fragrant Nutmeg Myristica fragrans, native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia; it is also grown in the Caribbean, especially in Grenada. Other species include Papuan Nutmeg M. argentea from New Guinea, and Bombay Nutmeg M.
Where is the best nutmeg from?
Indonesia. The Banda Islands in Maluku Province, Indonesia, are the earliest known nutmeg cultivation areas in the world. The islands are also known as Spice Islands. Indonesia is the world’s top producer of nutmeg, making up about 50% of the world’s production.
Where does nutmeg come from originally?
Nutmeg originated in the Banda Islands of Indonesia, and was discovered by the Portuguese in 1512. The importance of the nutmeg seed was propagated by the Dutch. The name nutmeg is derived from the Latin nux muscatus, meaning “musky nut.” In India, nutmeg is known as Jaiphal.
Where do nutmeg trees grow?
Nutmeg is the seed kernel inside a yellow fruit of the nutmeg tree, an evergreen native to the Molucca Islands (sometimes called the Spice Islands) of Indonesia.
What fruit does nutmeg come from?
First, nutmeg is actually not one spice, but two; mace is derived from the nutmeg fruit, as it is the outer covering of the nutmeg seed.
What does nutmeg do for a man?
Some animal studies show that nutmeg may enhance sex drive and performance. In one study, male rats that were given high doses of nutmeg extract (227 mg per pound or 500 mg per kg of body weight) experienced significant increases in sexual activity and sexual performance time compared to a control group ( 13 ).
Do you peel nutmeg?
You do not need to peel, cut or toast whole nutmeg seeds before preparing them. Grate the nutmeg with a microplaner, the smallest holes of a standard cheese grater or a specialized nutmeg grinder. For maximum potency, grate only as much nutmeg as you need to use immediately.
Why does nutmeg smell so good?
Eugenol, though found in smaller quantities in nutmeg, is one of the major volatile components of the seed and is used for making vanillin and also as a substitute for cloves (next week’s smell!) in perfume-making.
What does nutmeg do with colonialism?
Nutmeg, believe it or not, is one of the most contentious spices in human history. Hugely valuable during the 1600s, nutmeg was once the center of the colonial efforts of the Dutch, who committed no shortage of atrocities to monopolize that portion of the spice trade.
Why was nutmeg so expensive in 17th century?
Thought to have the power to cure everything from the plague to flatulence to the common cold, nutmeg was “the most coveted luxury in seventeenth-century Europe, a spice held to have such medicinal properties that men would risk their lives to acquire it.”‘
What spices did the Victorians use?
Here are the top 10 herbs a Victorian gardener would ensure were planted in their garden:
- #1: Parsley. This fast-growing annual herb could be enjoyed raw or cooked.
- #2: Sage.
- #3: Rosemary.
- #4: Thyme.
- #5: Feverfew.
- #6: Lavender.
- #7: Pot Marigold (Calendula)
- #8: Mint.
Can I use dried nutmeg instead of fresh?
There is no exact standard of conversion between fresh and preground, but to give you an idea, you might only need 1/4 tsp of freshly ground nutmeg where you might need a whole teaspoon of preground – and you’ll probably get more flavor from that 1/4-tsp.
What is a whole nutmeg called?
Nutmeg – Whole
Nutmeg, or Myristica fragrans, is a large light brown seed roughly the size of a plum pit, that provides two different spices: nutmeg, and mace. Nutmeg is the interior seed of the whole nutmeg seed, and mace is gathered from the thin red membrane inside the nutmeg shell.
Is nutmeg good for health?
Nutmeg is a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against the signs of aging and serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. Nutmeg oil is used in several dental products.
Is nutmeg a fruit or nut?
Nutmeg is not a nut but it is a mega spice and as such pose no risk to persons who have nut allergies. Nutmeg is actually a fruit with a single seed which makes it a drupe, similar to an apricot.
What can I use instead of nutmeg?
8 Great Substitutes for Nutmeg
- Mace. Mace is the best option if you’re looking for a replacement for nutmeg, as both spices come from the Myristica fragrans tree.
- Garam masala.
- Allspice.
- Cinnamon.
- Pumpkin pie spice.
- Apple pie spice.
- Ginger.
- Cloves.