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.
How do you get the shell off of nutmeg?
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.
Do you have to remove the shell of 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 have to crack open a nutmeg?
Hey! The nutmeg comes in an outer pod which keeps it super fresh, and needs to be removed before use. Crack it open with a nutcracker or with the flat side of knife, and proceed to grate the inner nutmeg as usual.
Is there a shell on nutmeg?
What many people do not realize is that the shell is not that difficult to crack open. We simply cut the nut in half with a regular kitchen knife, and then the nutmeg freely rolls out of the shell.
Can you eat the shell of nutmeg?
the shell is mace, the inside is nutmeg. go easy on it mind, it’s poisonous in any quantity (like if you tipped a whole jar in something by mistake).
What do you do with whole nutmeg?
Nutmeg has a long culinary history and can be part of both sweet and savory dishes. It can be used whole and grated directly into a recipe or measured or shaken from a canister of pre-ground nutmeg. To use whole nutmeg, you will need a microplane or nutmeg grater to shave off a small portion of the seed.
How does nutmeg help you sleep?
Drink a glass of milk with a dash of nutmeg to improve sleep. Milk contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that induces sleep, while the healing properties of nutmeg help in nerve relaxation.
What part of nutmeg do we eat?
nutmeg seed
The fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace.
Can you use a zester for nutmeg?
With the spice or zester blade, grating nutmeg fresh and fine improves the taste of soups, sauces, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts or cauliflower. Even white asparagus or spinach can be enhanced by the spicy, nutty flavor.
Is grated nutmeg the same as ground nutmeg?
Scientifically known as myristica fragrans, these are the only trees to bear two distinct spices, nutmeg, the seed, and mace, a spice that comes from its dried shell. After our trip, I began making small batches of freshly ground nutmeg. Grated and ground nutmeg are the same thing.
Is fresh nutmeg stronger than ground?
What really distinguishes whole nutmeg from its ground counterpart is the potent flavor. Whole nutmeg is stronger tasting and has considerably more flavor.
How long does whole nutmeg last?
about 4 years
Generally, you can assume that well stored whole nutmeg seeds will keep freshness for about 4 years, while ground nutmeg for about two years. That’s, of course, for the best quality. Provided that water won’t get to the spice, it should last well beyond that period, and in reasonably good shape.
What are the benefits of nutmeg?
Nutmeg is found to have health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.
How do you grind nutmeg without a grinder?
Microplane. Chances are you already have a Microplane in your kitchen and use it for a number of tasks, from zesting lemons to mincing garlic. This can also finely grate nutmeg; just make sure that it’s scrupulously clean before using it for this spicy task.
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.
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.
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 nutmeg upset your stomach?
Nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin. The small amount of nutmeg used in recipes is very unlikely to cause serious toxicity, though mild stomach upset could occur if a small amount is ingested.
How much nutmeg do I take to sleep?
Taking over 6 grams of nutmeg will be a powerful sedative. If you do this during waking hours, you may feel extremely fatigued. I’ve recommended up to 10 grams of nutmeg for insomnia and didn’t see any ill effects (besides the much-needed sedation).
Can I eat raw nutmeg?
Nutmeg is safe in small amounts. However, as little as 2 teaspoons or 5 grams can cause some symptoms of toxicity. At larger amounts, symptoms become worse and serious complications or death can occur.