Nutmeg is a known spice to us. The word nutmeg comes from the latin word nux. Nutmeg is not similar to peanuts or other nuts though the spice contains the nut with the name. The color of nutmeg spice is brown. It is a slightly sweeter flavor spice. In many foods, nutmeg is used as a spice and flavoring. Two pictures of nutmeg spices shown below.
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- Spice Name: Nutmeg
- Family name: Myristicaceae
- Scientific Name: Myristica Fragrans
Spice Nutmeg is native to Indonesia. It is now cultivated in the West Indies and many countries in the world. Indonesia is the top producer of nutmeg.
Nutmeg tree has narrow oval leaves and the spice is made from its seeds. Its leaves are thick and evergreen. After drying the fresh fruit it becomes a spice. The nutmeg tree is a medium high tree. The peak harvesting is during the month of June to August. When the fruit is ripe then it is ready for harvesting. The harvest of nutmeg trees takes seven to ten years after planting. After twenty years the tree is ready for full production. Nutmeg tree bears the fruit up to sixty years.
Nutmeg contains different vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins A, C and E. It also contains copper, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc etc. It is used for flavoring many dishes. Nutmeg is found to have health benefits. It is used in Western and Chinese herbal medicine. Nutmeg is used to flavor many kinds of baked goods, confections, pudding, potatoes, sauces and vegetables. It is also used in soaps and cosmetics preparation.