The plant and the cultivation of nutmeg
Nutmeg is an evergreen tree and the nutmeg is your seed (myristica fragrans). The coat of seed that surrounds the nutmeg is called macis. Both products are used as a spice. Orlandosidee® offers both products, each individually or in combination and also ground nutmeg.
The nutmeg bears apricot-like fruits. These fruits have a yellow color and white flesh. Inside this fruit is a hard core nut with a dark brown shell. The shell is covered by the mace. Under the black-brown shell is the nutmeg.
The Nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) has a stature height of 5 to 18 meters and is an evergreen tree. It earns its first income from the age of eight, with the highest return at age 15. It has its origin in Indonesia. But today it is also cultivated in other countries such as South America, Africa and tropical Asia.
The harvest
The nutmeg tree carries its fruits throughout the year. The main harvest takes place in the months of June, July and August. At the harvest all ripe fruits are collected. First, the shell and the pulp is removed. Furthermore, the seed coat is removed from the macis and dried separately from the nut. The black-brown kernels are then dried for 6 -8 weeks on lattices on large wooden shelves in drying rooms until the brown nuts begin to rattle. Only now are the hard shells broken and the nutmeg is born. At the beginning, the brown nuts are still soft, so they are further dried until they harden. A tree brings up to 100 kg of nutmeg and mace.
The aroma
The nutmeg has a spicy and warm aroma, its scent is sweet with highly aromatic notes of camphor and cloves. Finely ground nutmeg refines many foods.
Culinary use
Ground nutmeg goes very well with light sauces or soups. It flavors mashed potatoes or cauliflower purée. Nutmeg gives your food a wonderfully earthy note. Nutmeg refines with its unique taste sweet potatoes, egg, cheese, cabbage and pumpkin. You can also spice up chicken, fish, veal, lamb, seafood or mutton with it. Part of many spice blends
Nutmeg is a much used spice and is part of many different spice blends. At Orlandosidee® you can find Nutmeg in our spice shop among others in the following spice mixtures: Tabil, Colorado, Raz el Hanout, Tsire, Cookies, Colombo, Carioca, Berbere
Nutmeg - Good to know
Nutmeg eliminates nausea, but should be dosed sparingly. Finally, more than 5 grams may cause hallucinations and consciousness disturbance.
Storage of spices
Put the ground nutmeg in a well-sealed container and store in a well-protected place. The room condition should be cool and dry.
