Spice Fennel

Spice fennel is popular for its flavored leaves and fruits. The spice has a similar taste and appearance to anise. Fennel is an ancient seasonal herb. It is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb. Some places its leaves are used as a vegetable and mixed with other vegetables. The names and two pictures of fennel are shown below, one is a seed and another one is a green plant in the field.

• Spice Name: Fennel
• Family : Apiaceae
• Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel spice is native to Southern Europe and Asia Minor. The spice is cultivated in many countries in the world as its leaves and seeds can be used for both vegetables and spices.

The spice fennel plant is not tall. The plant has a soft body and the leaves of the plant are green.The fennel plant is a flowering plant and the color of the flower is normally yellow. At blooming time the plant is looking very beautiful with yellow flowers.

 

Fennel and fennel seeds contains nutrients. It contains vitamin C, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. It contains good source of fiber. The spice is one of the important in some cuisine and cooking. The leaves of fennel can be used to flavor salads and sauces. The dried seeds and oil of fennel are used as medicine.

Spice Nutmeg

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.

• 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.