Storage. Store ground nutmeg in an air-tight container away from heat, light, and moisture. When stored properly, ground nutmeg will retain its freshness for approximately six months. Whole nutmeg will stay fresh indefinitely, but should always be stored away from heat and moisture.
How do you store whole nutmeg?
How To Store Nutmeg & Keep It Fresh
- Keep It In A Dark, Cool, And Dry Place. As a dry spice, nutmeg absorbs the moisture in the air, causing changes in the nutmeg’s distinctive flavor and aroma.
- Keep It Tightly Sealed.
- Don’t Refrigerate Or Freeze.
- Stock It Whole.
- Buy In Small Quantities.
- Date Your Nutmeg.
Does whole nutmeg expire?
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.
Can I freeze whole nutmeg?
Should not be stored in the freezer. Freezing does not extend the shelf life of regularly used dried spices. If stored in the freezer, and repeatedly removed for use, condensation will form in the container and accelerate loss of flavor and aroma.
Do you have to shell whole nutmeg?
Grating 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.
Should nutmeg be refrigerated?
Don’t refrigerate or freeze nutmeg:
Some might believe that storing nutmeg in the refrigerator might increase its shelf life. But, when it comes to nutmeg, the humidity inside of the refrigerator might further degrade its quality.
Do you just 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.
How do you know if nutmeg is still good?
How can you tell if ground nutmeg is still good? To test whether ground nutmeg is still potent enough to be effective: Rub or crush a small amount in your hand, then taste and smell it – if the aroma is weak and the flavor is not obvious, the ground nutmeg should be replaced.
Does nutmeg have any medicinal value?
The spice has antibacterial properties that have proven particularly effective against oral pathogens that cause disease and bad breath. One study found that nutmeg acted as a potential antidepressant in male rats, and the spice has been used for its invigorating properties in folk medicine.
Do you grate the outside of nutmeg?
The nutmeg to which you’re referring is the nutmeg seed as a whole. All of this seed can be used once grated, both the outer and inner parts. The benefit of the nutmeg seed being grated as you need it is that you can use it over a long period of time and it retains its potency.
What can I do with a lot of 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).
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.
Should I buy whole or ground nutmeg?
It is best to buy nutmeg whole and grate it as needed, as ground nutmeg loses its flavor very quickly. Despite its hard surface, whole nutmeg is easy to grate by hand.
What is the red coating on nutmeg?
Mace is the spice made from the reddish seed covering (aril) of the nutmeg seed. Its flavour is similar to nutmeg but more delicate; it is used to flavour baked goods, meat, fish, and vegetables, and in preserving and pickling.
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.
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.
What does nutmeg do for a woman?
Even according to Ayurveda, this spice helps in calming the nervous system and improves blood circulation to the reproductive organs. This is the reason why it has been deemed as women’s viagra.
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.
How long does nutmeg last in its shell?
Storage. Store ground nutmeg in an air-tight container away from heat, light, and moisture. When stored properly, ground nutmeg will retain its freshness for approximately six months. Whole nutmeg will stay fresh indefinitely, but should always be stored away from heat and moisture.
What does too much nutmeg do to your brain?
Nutmeg contains myristicin, a natural compound that has mind-altering effects if ingested in large doses. The buzz can last one to two days and can be hallucinogenic, much like LSD.
What happens if you eat 1 nutmeg?
Side effects of nutmeg
When consumed in small doses, nutmeg is unlikely to cause harm to your body. However, large doses could have an adverse effect. Nutmeg contains two properties called myristicin and safrole, which when ingested in large quantities can cause you to hallucinate and lose muscle coordination.