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. 

Spice Walnut

The walnut spice is commonly consumed as a nut. The spice has been used for a long time in many countries in the world. The walnut tree is considered one of the most valuable trees for its spice and wood. The spice can be eaten raw or toasted. The spice is used in many food preparations. The names and two pictures are shown below of walnuts, one is dry and other is fresh at the tree.

• Spice Name: Walnut
• Family name: Juglandaceae
• Scientific Name: Juglans

Spice walnut is native to North and South America, Southern Europe, Asia and the West Indies. Walnut spice is cultivated mostly in China, Iran, United States, Turkey and Mexico. 

To identify a walnut tree is by their bark, leaves and nuts. Their bark is light gray to dark brown.  The leaves of the walnut tree are pinnate. The walnut tree is valuable for its spice and wood is used to make good furniture and other wooden work. The wood of a walnut tree is hard, heavy and resilient. The tree lives up to two hundred years. 

 

Walnut spice contains vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin A, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, E and vitamin K. Walnut also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, folic acid etc. The spice can be used as ingredients in other foodstuffs. The walnut pieces are used as an ice cream topping and garnish on  some foods. Walnuts have a wealth of good kinds of fats which are better than saturated fats. The vitamins and minerals of walnuts give health benefits. Eating walnuts helps to repair the hair from exposure to the sun. Walnut husk can be used to make ink for writing and drawing.