Nutmeg is native to a small cluster of islands in Indonesia, the Banda Islands. It is the seed of a peachlike fruit that grows from the tree Myristica fragrans. Europeans discovered nutmeg in the middle ages and it became quite valuable for its culinary and folk remedy uses.
What part of the plant does nutmeg come from?
seed kernel
Nutmeg is the seed kernel inside a yellow fruit of the nutmeg tree, an evergreen native to the Molucca Islands (sometimes called the Spice Islands) of Indonesia. Whole nutmeg seeds are oval, brown and about an inch long, with a nutty aroma and taste—but they don’t pose a risk to people with nut allergies.
How is a nutmeg formed?
Nutmeg is the spice made by grinding the seed of the fragrant nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) into powder.
Does nutmeg grow on a tree?
Nutmeg is the seed of the evergreen tree, Myristica fragrans. The inner seed is enveloped by a bright red aril known by spice traders as mace. If you stroll past a nutmeg tree on a sunny beach, you may spot the yellow, peach-like fruits drooping high in the branches.
Where did nutmeg spread to?
Middle Eastern traders brought Nutmeg and mace to Southern Europe in the sixth century, and they were well-known by the twelfth century from Italy to Denmark. The Portuguese found Nutmeg trees in the Molucca Islands, and dominated the Nutmeg and mace trade until the Dutch overcame it in 1602.
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 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 ).
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.
Can I grow nutmeg?
Nutmeg trees can grow in USDA zones 10 and 11. As a tropical tree, nutmeg likes it hot, in mostly sunny locations with some dappled shade. Choose a protected site if your area is prone to gusty winds. Nutmeg trees should be planted in rich, organic soil with a medium texture and low salinity.
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.
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.
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.
What does nutmeg taste like?
What Does Nutmeg Taste Like? Nutmeg is a warm spice with slightly nutty, sweet, woody flavors. It’s quite aromatic and can is generally best used in small amounts—usually no more than one teaspoon. If you use too much nutmeg, the dish, drink, or baked good may taste soapy or bitter.
Where is nutmeg grown in the world?
Nutmeg is an evergreen tree belonging to the family Myrticaceae. It is indigenous to Moluccas in Indonesia, but is now found in other countries like Grenada, India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The commercial products of the tree are nutmegs, mace, their essential oils, extracted oleoresins, and nutmeg butter.
Is nutmeg a fruit or nut?
Nutmeg is not a nut but it is a mega spice and as such pose no risk to persons who have nut allergies. Nutmeg is actually a fruit with a single seed which makes it a drupe, similar to an apricot.
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.
Which island is known for nutmeg?
Grenada
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.
What was nutmeg used for in the Middle Ages?
In 12th century Europe and into the Middle Ages, nutmeg served as medicine to bring on menstruation and as an abortifacient and was reputed to have hallucinogenic qualities.
Is mace and nutmeg the same thing?
While nutmeg and mace are related, and come from the same nutmeg tree, they are different. Nutmeg is the seed found inside the ripe fruit of the tree, after it’s been picked and split open. The lacy membrane that surrounds the seed, once removed and dried, is mace.
How do you use nutmeg in the bedroom?
Nutmeg essential oil has mild sedative properties. It can help improve sleep by decreasing activity of stress-related enzymes. If you struggle to drift off to sleep, try a few drops of nutmeg massaged into your feet or diffused at your bedside.
Does nutmeg make you sleepy?
The largest group of people who were unintentionally exposed to nutmeg intoxication were minors under the age of 13. The most common symptoms in the 10-year review included: hallucinations. drowsiness.