About 100 species, including:
- Myristica argentea.
- Myristica fragrans.
- Myristica inutilis.
- Myristica malabarica.
- Myristica macrophylla.
- Myristica otoba.
- Myristica platysperma.
What is the common name of nutmeg?
Myristica fragrans (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed, and mace, from the seed covering. It is also a commercial source of an essential oil and nutmeg butter.
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.
How do you identify nutmeg?
Nutmeg, Myristica fragrans, is a tropical evergreen tree in the family Myristicaceae grown for its seeds which are used as spices. The nutmeg tree has natural conical shape with a grey-brown trunk and dark green glossy leaves. The branches of the tree spread in whorls and the leaves are oval or lanceolate in shape.
Where does the best nutmeg come from?
Today, most of the premium nutmeg spice comes from Grenada and Indonesia. Grated nutmeg spice is used to flavor everything from many desserts to cream sauces, in meat rubs, eggs, over veggies (like squash, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, and potatoes) as well as a dusting over morning coffee.
What is nutmeg good for?
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.
What was nutmeg originally used for?
Historically, grated nutmeg was used as a sachet, and the Romans used it as incense. Around 1600 it became important as an expensive commercial spice in the Western world and was the subject of Dutch plots to keep prices high and of English and French counterplots to obtain fertile seeds for transplantation.
How do you pick good nutmeg?
Therefore, the share of essential oil in the ground nut is 6%, which is higher than the minimum level set in the EU standards (where the essential oil should be at least 4%). Quality nutmeg has a warm brown closer to the reddish tint.
Is nutmeg a herb or spice?
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) is a spice seed that belongs to the family Myristicaceae.
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.
Is there fake nutmeg?
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 if a nutmeg is male or female?
The result of morphological identification provided from 3 research farm location indicated that female nutmeg was higher, with longer and wider leaf, more vein, bigger diameter of stem and branching angle as compared to male nutmeg.
Which country produces the most 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.
How much nutmeg do I take to sleep?
According to Ayurveda, you should add a pinch of nutmeg to a glass of warm milk and have it before sleeping. You can also add in some almonds and a pinch of cardamom for added benefits.
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.
Do you Grate nutmeg with 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.
Does nutmeg raise your 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.
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 burn fat?
Nutmeg is an excellent source of fibre, which is a good source to lose weight. However, it is also high saturated fats, which can be harmful; therefore, using nutmeg in large quantities is not advised.” Nutmeg is high in fibre content, which can help you feel fuller when you are cutting on calories.
Why is it called nutmeg?
Why do they call it a nutmeg when a footballer kicks a ball through his opponent’s legs? It’s rhyming slang for legs. Through the nutmegs, through the legs – you’ve been nutmegged.
What foods go well with nutmeg?
Slightly sweeter than mace, nutmeg is essential to bechamel sauce and also goes well with baked or stewed fruit, custards, eggnog, punches, curries, sauces (particularly onion-based and milk sauces), pasta, and vegetables (especially spinach).