Our nutmegs are sold encased in the shells, to preserve freshness, break the shell and grate nutmeg when ready to use.
Does nutmeg have a shell?
Take your whole nutmeg and crack the shell open by smashing it. I find that pressing the nutmeg on a wood cutting board with the flat edge of a knife the best way to crack the shell. Peel away the shell completely from the nutmeg.
What is nutmeg shell?
The common nutmeg, Cancellaria reticulata, is a species of medium-sized to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cancellariidae, the nutmeg snails. Common nutmeg. Five views of a shell of Cancellaria reticulata Linnaeus, 1767. Scientific classification.
What forms does nutmeg come in?
Nutmeg can be purchased in two forms: ground or whole. Ground nutmeg is easily found in the spice section of the grocery store. It has been milled into a rough powder form and, although convenient, tends to lose its flavor and aroma quickly. For this reason, ground nutmeg is generally sold in very small quantities.
Are nutmeg shells rare?
This local shell is a very common find! It is also a very active specimen if you come across a live one. Keep an eye out for these during the winter or after a storm. Named for its resemblance to the holiday spice, the Nutmeg is a small but hardy shell, characterized by brown bands of varying shades.
What is nutmeg Shell good for?
The outer shell, the seed and the mace are all known for its incredible medicinal properties. It is a store house of anti oxidants and is added in dishes and gravies to enhance its flavor and aroma. The nutmeg essence is extracted from the mace and the seed as well. The mace is used to make spicy pickles.
How do you get nutmeg out of shell?
Begin by cracking open the nutmeg shell on a cutting board. You can do this by pressing down hard on the whole seed with a large knife or heavy pan. Peel away the shell and then finely grate the whole nutmeg seed at a forty-five-degree angle.
What does a nutmeg sea shell look like?
The Common Nutmeg (Cancellaria Reticulata) is a type of sea snail found in the western Atlantic Ocean. The shell has a lattice pattern and varies in color from cream and orange to brown. As these are natural seashells they will have minor wear and variances. Also, be aware that colors may vary from monitor to monitor.
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.
What is the outer skin of nutmeg called?
aril
The nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) is a tropical evergreen that produces both nutmeg and mace. Mace is the red lacy coating (called the aril) that encases the nutmeg seed.
How can you tell good nutmeg?
Quality nutmeg has a warm brown closer to the reddish tint. It can contain a little dark inclusions – these are parts of the nut in which the essential oil has appeared. Quality nutmeg has a characteristic strong aroma.
Is nutmeg a seed or nut?
seed
Although the word nutmeg contains the word “nut,” it is not related to peanuts or tree nuts. It is a dried seed, which is ground to make a spice.
Can you eat the nutmeg fruit?
Nutmeg is the rarest of spices. Its woody balls are the stones or pips of fruits that plump from the nutmeg tree, the beautifully named Myristica fragrans. You can eat the fruit, too, if you’re lucky enough to get it: in Sulawesi they sugar it, then dry it in the sun so it partially ferments.
Where are nutmeg shells found?
The Common Nutmeg sea shell is small, only 1 – 2 inches long, or slightly larger. You will find them while beachcombing along the southern U.S. coast from North Carolina to Texas and also in the waters of Brazil.
What is a tulip shell?
Tulip snail or tulip shell is the common name for eight species of large, predatory, subtropical and tropical sea snails from the Western Atlantic. These species are in the genus Fasciolaria. They are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fasciolariidae, the spindle shells, tulip shells and their allies.
What is an alphabet cone?
Conus spurius, common name the alphabet cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies. Conus spurius. Lindaconus spurius. Fossil, Pliocene. Scientific classification.
Why does nutmeg make you sleepy?
A natural chemical called trimyristin found in nutmeg is responsible for inducing sleep, relaxing your tired muscles and nerves and set in a sense of calm.
Does nutmeg help with erectile dysfunction?
Nutmeg oil is considered to be one of the most potent oils for improving the condition of erectile dysfunction. This essential oil increases blood circulation in the body and is also a well-known aphrodisiac.
Does nutmeg lower blood pressure?
Nutmeg is packed with antioxidants and has a slew of anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
Do you have to peel whole 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.
Do you need to crack open a nutmeg?
Don’t worry about breaking the seed itself. Peel away the shell, cracking more shell as needed. Hold your Microplane or nutmeg grater at a 45-degree angle to your cutting board.