nutmeg, (Myristica fragrans), tropical evergreen tree (family Myristicaceae) and the spice made of its seed. The tree is native to the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, of Indonesia and is principally cultivated there and in the West Indies.
Is nutmeg grown in the Caribbean?
On the southern end of the Caribbean, Grenada is one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere.
What country did nutmeg originate from?
Indonesia
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 does nutmeg come from in the Caribbean?
This article is more than 2 years old. Little Grenada or “Spice Island” is only 134 square miles, but is responsible for more than 20 per cent of the world’s nutmeg production— second only to Indonesia, which produces around seventy five per cent of nutmeg globally.
Does Jamaica produce nutmeg?
McCormicks consumer guide has a few more details. The annual production of nutmeg oil is around 300 tonnes and the major producers are Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The major market is the USA (75%).
Weight percent (w/w%) composition of nutmeg oils by country.
| Compound | myrcene |
|---|---|
| Grenada | 3.4 |
| Indonesia | 3.7 |
| Jamaica | 4.7 |
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.
What island is known for nutmeg?
Grenada, that island in the sun – the spicy one known and loved for its wide variety of spices like nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and more.
Who introduced nutmeg to Grenada?
In 1714 cocoa, coffee and cotton were brought to the island and in 1782, King George III’s botanical advisor Sir Joseph Banks introduced nutmeg to Grenada. There were two key reasons for this: Grenada’s soil was ideal for growing nutmeg; Grenada was closer to Europe than the Dutch East Indies.
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 ).
Why was nutmeg so valuable?
So, why was nutmeg so valuable? Well, Krondl likens it to the iPhone of the 1600s. It was fashionable among the wealthy. It was exotic and potent enough to induce hallucinations — or at least a nutmeg bender, as detailed in this account from The Atlantic.
What is the difference between East and West Indies nutmeg?
Mace from the West Indies is yellowish brown in color while mace from East Indian nutmeg is orange red when dried. The yield of mace is much less than nutmeg. Under the red covering is the dark shiny nut which contains the oval shaped nutmeg seed.
Which country is the largest producer of nutmeg?
Indonesia
Indonesia is the largest world producer of nutmeg and mace and accounts for three-quarters of world production and export. Grenada is the second largest producer and exporter.
What spices are grown in Jamaica?
The main agricultural spices regulated by JACRA are grown in the following major production areas in Jamaica:
- Pimento – St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St, Ann, Portland and St. Mary.
- Nutmeg – St. Mary, St.
- Ginger – St. James, Hanover, Trelawny, Westmoreland, Clarendon, Portland, St.
- Turmeric – Westmoreland and Hanover.
What is the national tree of Jamaica?
The Blue Mahoe
The Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus Elatus) is the national tree of Jamaica. It is indigenous to the island and grows quite rapidly, often attaining 20m (66ft) or more in height. In wetter districts it will grow in a wide range of elevations, up to 1200m (4000 ft.) and is often used in reforestation.
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 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.
Which Caribbean island is known for its spices?
Grenada
Grenada, which gained its independence from Britain in 1974, lies at the end of the Grenadines and 515 miles northeast of Venezuela. It has been an important part of the Caribbean for centuries, having earned the name “the Spice Island” for its wealth of nutmeg, allspice, clove and cinnamon.
What Caribbean island is known for spices?
Grenada
Grenada – Spice Isle of the Caribbean
Nutmeg and mace production has been part of Grenada’s history for over 100 years. The island was the second major international exporter in the world, after Indonesia.
What is Grenada best known for?
Grenada: Caribbean Spice Island, Famous for Its Vibrant Coastal Towns and Perfect Sandy Beaches. Grenada is an island found in in the Caribbean, or West Indies, widely known for its spices, giving it its common nickname as the Spice Isle. Grenada is a significant source of cloves, cinnamon, and ginger, among others.
When did Grenada get nutmeg?
The nutmeg tree was introduced to Grenada in the middle 1800s by local planters returning from Indonesia to help expand cocoa production but has far surpassed cocoa in importance on the island.
Which spice is featured on the flag of Grenada?
nutmeg
Grenada’s flag had horizontal stripes of blue-yellow-green with a central representation of a nutmeg, one of the island’s chief products. The nutmeg symbol was retained when, in anticipation of independence, a new flag was developed.