The fruit is a pendulous drupe, similar in appearance to an apricot. When fully mature it splits in two, exposing a crimson-coloured aril, the mace, surrounding a single shiny brown seed, the nutmeg. The pulp of the fruit is eaten locally.
Can you eat the fruit around a nutmeg?
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.
What is the outer covering of nutmeg?
mace
First, nutmeg is actually not one spice, but two; mace is derived from the nutmeg fruit, as it is the outer covering of the nutmeg seed.
What is the name of the fruit that surrounds the nutmeg seed?
When nutmeg is fully mature, it splits in two, exposing a crimson-colored aril, the mace, surrounding a single shiny brown seed. The fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace.
What other fruit is the fruit from a nutmeg tree similar to?
Nutmeg is actually a fruit with a single seed which makes it a drupe, similar to an apricot.
What happens if you eat a nutmeg nut?
But in large doses, nutmeg may cause myristicin poisoning. The effects of myristicin poisoning include seizures, heart arrhythmias, nausea, dizziness, pain and hallucinations ( 26 , 27 ). Eating more than 10 grams of nutmeg in one sitting is not recommended.
What is the use of nutmeg fruit?
Nutmeg is a key ingredient in many baked goods. Add to seasonal beverages such as eggnog, mulled cider, and mulled wine. Use it in fall dishes, such as ones that feature pumpkin or other winter squashes. Try cooking dishes from Southern and Southeastern Asia or visit a new restaurant that offers the cuisine.
Do you remove shell from 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.
What causes nutmeg poisoning?
When large amounts are taken, several toxic effects, including tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, agitation, and hallucinations, have been noted [1–3]. These effects have been attributed to myristicin, the ingredient contributing to the largest portion of the volatile oil of nutmeg.
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 ).
What is the nutmeg nut called?
Nutmeg is derived from the seed of Myristica fragrans, and the spice, mace, is derived from the seed coat.
What spice grows around nutmeg?
mace
When nutmeg is fully mature, it splits in two, exposing a crimson-colored aril, the mace, surrounding a single shiny brown seed. The fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace.
What comes from the same tree as nutmeg?
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and mace are two different spices from the same tree.
What comes from the nutmeg tree?
The nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) is a tropical evergreen native to the balmy and very un-autumn-like Spice Islands in the South Pacific. The tree is the source of not just one spice but two: nutmeg from its seed, and mace from the aril of the seed.
Does nutmeg affect 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.
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).
Does nutmeg induce sleep?
Helps Treat Insomnia
Nutmeg has a calming effect when consumed in smaller doses. Various ancient medicinal practices credit it for its sleep inducing and de-stressing effects. According to Ayurveda, you should add a pinch of nutmeg to a glass of warm milk and have it before sleeping.
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 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.
Can whole nutmeg mold?
If water gets to the package of whole or ground nutmeg, there will be mold or some other organic growth. That’s a sure sign you should get rid of it. Same thing if it smells off. If water doesn’t get to it, it should be safe to eat.
How hallucinogenic is nutmeg?
Nutmeg is sometimes abused for its hallucinogenic potential; less than one tablespoon can be enough to produce severe symptoms similar to those seen in anticholinergic poisoning (9,10). It can also cause psychosis, both acute (11,12) and chronic (13).