Nutmeg

What Is Nutmeg? To make nutmeg for seasoning, the nutmeg seeds are dried gradually in the sun over a period of six to eight weeks. During this time, the nutmeg shrinks away from its hard seed coat. The spice is ready when the kernels rattle in their shells when shaken. It is separated from the outer coat (the mace) and sold whole or ground up and packaged. The Spruce / Anatasiia Tretiak Nutmeg vs. Mace Although both spices come from the same tree, nutmeg and mace do differ from each other. The mace, which is the outer coating of the nutmeg seed, is removed first and ground into a red-colored spice, while the nutmeg pit or seed can either be kept whole or ground up. Nutmeg has a milder taste compared to mace and is sweeter and more delicate; mace is a little spicier and can be described as a combination of pepper and cinnamon. Even though they grow as one, they are rarely used together in a recipe. The Spruce / Anatasiia Tretiak Whole vs. Ground Nutmeg can be purchased as the whole seed or ground in a container. Grating the seed directly into a recipe will impart a fresher, cleaner taste than using store-bought ground nutmeg. Whole nutmeg is approximately the size of an apricot pit and will last a very long time while pre-ground nutmeg has a shorter shelf life. Cooking With Nutmeg Nutmeg has a long culinary history and can be part of both sweet and savory dishes. It can be used whole and grated directly into a recipe or measured or shaken from a canister of pre-ground nutme...

The tree is native to the Maluku or Spice Islands of Indonesia and is the only tree that is the source of two distinct spices in the world. It is commonly grown in the Caribbean, other tropical areas of the world, and also in Southern India in the state of Kerala. Click here to know Uses of Nutmeg Nutmeg spice is widely used in cuisines around the world for its unique flavor and taste. It is used and found in many forms like You can also use nutmeg in these amazing preparations. • • • Spices, nutmeg, ground Serving Size : Nutrient Value Water [g] 6.23 Energy 525 Energy [kJ] 2196 Protein [g] 5.84 Total lipid (fat) [g] 36.31 Ash [g] 2.34 Carbohydrate, by difference [g] 49.29 Fiber, total dietary [g] 20.8 Sugars, total including NLEA [g] 2.99 Calcium, Ca [mg] 184 Iron, Fe [mg] 3.04 Magnesium, Mg [mg] 183 Phosphorus, P [mg] 213 Potassium, K [mg] 350 Sodium, Na [mg] 16 Zinc, Zn [mg] 2.15 Copper, Cu [mg] 1.03 Manganese, Mn [mg] 2.9 Selenium, Se [µg] 1.6 Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg] 3 Thiamin [mg] 0.35 Riboflavin [mg] 0.06 Niacin [mg] 1.3 Vitamin B-6 [mg] 0.16 Folate, total [µg] 76 Folate, food [µg] 76 Folate, DFE [µg] 76 Choline, total [mg] 8.8 Vitamin A, RAE [µg] 5 Carotene, beta [µg] 28 Cryptoxanthin, beta [µg] 66 Vitamin A, IU [IU] 102 Tocopherol, gamma [mg] 0.53 Fatty acids, total saturated [g] 25.94 12:0 [g] 0.37 14:0 [g] 22.83 16:0 [g] 2.26 18:0 [g] 0.17 Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] 3.22 16:1 [g] 1.4 18:1 [g] 1.59 Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] 0.3...

Don’t know what to do with all those potato peels? Running out of room in your oven for stuffing? Gravy tasting a little flat? Head to our holiday hub, How to Thanksgiving Smarter, Not Harder , for everything you need to know—and nothing you don’t—to make this year’s holiday easier, speedier, and tastier. Nutmeg is precious—literally. At one point, access to nutmeg and its warm, spicy aroma was as valuable as Manhattan real estate (or, more accurately, the whole island of Manhattan—more on that later). Centuries later, it’s one of the hero ingredients in What is nutmeg? Money may not grow on trees, but nutmeg does. More specifically, nutmeg is the seed inside the fruit of nutmeg trees (an evergreen tree with the scientific name Myristica fragrans), which are indigenous to Indonesia but are now grown in tropical climates around the world. While any variety will work in a recipe calling for the spice, nutmegs grown in different regions feature complexities in flavor unique to the climates where they’re grown. Like with store-bought sauces or salsas, we recommend trying a new variety each time you restock so you can find the flavors that work best in your cooking. Nutmeg was a treasured resource in the colonial-era spice trade. Dutch and English merchants with competing interests in the Maluku islands, then known as the Spice Islands—where nutmeg originated—highly valued the spice (and the indigenous lands that cultivated it). They valued it so highly that, What does nutmeg t...

Nutmeg Scientific Name(s): Myristica fragrans Houtt. Common Name(s): Nutmeg, mace, magic, muscdier, nux moschata, myristica oil, muskatbaum Clinical Overview Use Nutmeg and mace, widely accepted as flavoring agents, have been used in higher doses for their aphrodisiac and psychoactive properties. Dosing There are no clinical trials to support therapeutic dosing. Consumption of nutmeg at 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight was reported to induce CNS effects. Toxic overdose occurred at a 5 g dose. Contraindications Contraindications have not been identified. The excessive use of nutmeg or mace is not recommended in people with psychiatric conditions. Pregnancy/Lactation Generally recognized as safe when used in food as a flavoring agent. Safety for doses above those found in foods is unproven; avoid because of possible abortifacient effects. Interactions None well documented. Adverse Reactions Allergy, contact dermatitis, and asthma have been reported. Toxicology CNS excitation with anxiety/fear, cutaneous flushing, decreased salivation, GI symptoms, and tachycardia. Acute psychosis and anticholinergic-like episodes have been documented; death has rarely been reported following the ingestion of large doses of nutmeg. Scientific Family • Myristicaceae Botany Mace and nutmeg are 2 slightly different flavored spices, both originating from the fruit of the nutmeg tree, Myristica fragrans. This slow-growing evergreen grows to more than 20 m and is cultivated in India, Ceylon, Malaysia, and ...

× This article is based on scientific evidence, written by Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Nutmeg Benefits: the Super Healthy Holiday Spice By Rachael Link, MS, RD December 22, 2022 • • • • • • • Nutmeg is a rich and fragrant spice that can crank up the flavor of just about any dish or dessert. Not only is this spectacular spice versatile and delicious like other So is nutmeg good for you? Is nutmeg a nut? And what is nutmeg used for? Keep reading for the answers to all of your burning questions about this incredible ingredient. What Is Nutmeg? Nutmeg spice is derived from the seed of Myristica fragrans, a type of evergreen nutmeg tree that is native to certain parts of Indonesia. The nutmeg plant itself can grow up to 50 feet tall and produces dark green leaves and waxy yellow flowers. It also produces the nutmeg fruit, which is a pear-shaped fruit with a brown seed that is ground into the spice. This warm, rich spice can add a pop of flavor to dishes while also bumping up the health benefits of the final product. In fact, it has been associate...

Nutmeg is a popular spice made from the seeds of Myristica fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree native to Indonesia ( It can be found in whole-seed form but is most often sold as a ground spice. It has a warm, slightly nutty flavor and is often used in desserts and curries, as well as drinks like mulled wine and chai tea. Although it’s more commonly used for its flavor than its health benefits, nutmeg contains an impressive array of powerful compounds that may help prevent disease and promote your overall health. This article reviews 8 science-backed health benefits of nutmeg. Though small in size, the seeds from which nutmeg is derived are rich in plant compounds that act as antioxidants in your body ( Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. These are molecules that have an unpaired electron, which makes them unstable and reactive ( When free radical levels become too high in your body, oxidative stress occurs. It’s associated with the onset and progression of many chronic conditions, such as certain cancers and heart and neurodegenerative diseases ( Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing cellular damage and keeping your free radical levels in check. Nutmeg contains an abundance of antioxidants, including plant pigments like cyanidins, One animal study showed that consuming nutmeg extract prevented cellular damage in rats treated with isoproterenol, a medication known to induce severe oxidative stress. Rats that di...

Nutmeg ( Myristica fragrans) is a spice that is commonly used in baked goods, holiday treats, ethnic cuisine, and beverages. The spice is produced by grinding nutmeg seeds that come from a flowering plant of the Myristicaceae family (sometimes called the nutmeg family)—native to Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The spice has a sweet taste and is often paired with other sweet spices including cinnamon, clove, and allspice. Nutmeg Benefits Nutmeg has also been praised for its antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, pain-relieving, liver-protecting, and cancer-preventative properties. In addition to its use as a flavoring spice in Asian, European, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines and traditional American baked goods, nutmeg has a history of medicinal use. The safety and effectiveness of using nutmeg in humans for any of these health benefits have not been confirmed. Nutrition Facts One serving (approximately 1 teaspoon or 2.2 grams) of ground nutmeg provides approximately 12 calories, according to USDA data. Calories come from carbohydrate (1.08 grams), protein (0.13 grams), and fat (0.8 grams). Recipes with nutmeg include: • • • • Nutmeg is also sometimes used in warm cocktails and coffee drinks. Possible Side Effects According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, nutmeg is probably safe when consumed in amounts typically found in food. But overconsumption of nutmeg may be risky, causing nausea, vomiting, and hallucination. Researchers write that the ...

Nutmeg comes from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree. Indonesia produces the majority of the world's nutmeg. The spice flavors many dishes, both savory and sweet, in cuisine across the globe. It is sold either ground or in whole seeds. Both nutmeg butter and nutmeg essential oil are also widely available. In addition to being delicious, nutmeg offers many health benefits. However, you should never consume more than is ordinarily used in food preparation. In large quantities, nutmeg can induce hallucinations. It is highly toxic and can even be fatal. Health Benefits Nutmeg is a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against the signs of aging and serious conditions such as Nutmeg also may provide other health benefits such as: Dental Health Nutmeg oil is used in several dental products. The spice has antibacterial properties that have proven particularly effective against oral pathogens that cause disease and bad breath. Improved Mood One study found that nutmeg acted as a potential antidepressant in male rats, and the spice has been used for its invigorating properties in folk medicine. Better Sleep A little nutmeg has been shown to aid sleep, both in duration and quality. However, higher quality, human studies are needed to validate this effect. Nutrition Nutmeg is rich in fiber, which helps keep the digestive system healthy and prevent blood sugar from spiking. It’s also a source of: • • • • • • • • • Nutrients per Serving A 1 tsp serving of nutmeg contains...