The nutmeg tree is a
large evergreen
native to the
Moluccas (the Spice
Islands) and is now
cultivated in the
West Indies. It
produces two spices
— mace and nutmeg.
Nutmeg is the seed
kernel inside the
fruit and mace is
the lacy covering
(aril) on the
kernel.
The Arabs were the
exclusive importers
of the spice to
Europe up until
1512, when Vasco de
Gama reached the
Moloccas and claimed
the islands for
Portugal. To
preserve their new
monopoly, the
Portuguese (and from
1602, the Dutch)
restricted the trees
to the islands of
Banda and Amboina.
The Dutch were
especially cautious,
since the part of
the fruit used as a
spice is also the
seed, so that anyone
with the spice could
propagate it. To
protect against
this, the Dutch
bathed the seeds in
lime, which would
prevent them from
growing. This plan
was thwarted
however, by fruit
pigeons who carried
the fruit to other
islands, before it
was harvested,
scattering the
seeds. The Dutch
sent out search and
destroy crews to
control the spread
and when there was
an abundant harvest,
they even burned
nutmeg to keep its
supply under
control. Despite
these precautions,
the French, led by
Pierre Poivre (Peter
Piper) smuggled
nutmeg seeds and
clove seedlings to
start a plantation
on the island of
Mauritius, off the
east coast of
Africa, near
Madagascar. In 1796
the British took
over the Moloccas
and spread the
cultivation to other
East Indian islands
and then to the
Caribbean. Nutmeg
was so successful in
Grenada it now calls
itself the Nutmeg
Island, designing
its flag in the
green, yellow and
red colours of
nutmeg and including
a graphic image of
nutmeg in one
corner.
Nutmeg has long been
lauded as possessing
or imparting magical
powers. A sixteenth
century monk is on
record as advising
young men to carry
vials of nutmeg oil
and at the
appropriate time, to
anoint their
genitals for
virility that would
see them through
several days.
Tucking a nutmeg
into the left armpit
before attending a
social event was
believed to attract
admirers. Nutmegs
were often used as
amulets to protect
against a wide
variety of dangers
and evils; from
boils to rheumatism
to broken bones and
other misfortunes.
In the Middle Ages
carved wooden
imitations were even
sold in the streets.
People carried
nutmegs everywhere
and many wore little
graters made of
silver, ivory or
wood, often with a
compartment for the
nuts.
Nutmeg is not a nut
and does not pose a
risk to people with
nut allegies.
Allergy to nutmeg
does occur, but
seems to be rather
rare.
The nutmeg seed is
encased in a mottled
yellow, edible
fruit, the
approximate size and
shape of a small
peach. The fruit
splits in half to
reveal a net-like,
bright red covering
over the seed. This
is the aril which is
collected, dried and
sold as mace. Under
the aril is a dark
shiny nut-like pit,
and inside that is
the oval shaped seed
which is the nutmeg.
Nutmegs are usually
sold without the
mace or hard shell.
They are oval, about
25 mm (1 in) in
length, lightly
wrinkled and dark
brown on the
outside, lighter
brown on the inside.
Nutmeg is sold whole
or ground, and is
labeled as ‘East
Indian’ or ‘West
Indian’ indicating
its source. Whole
nutmeg may be coated
with lime to protect
against insects and
fungus, though this
practice is giving
way to other forms
of fumigation.
Bouquet: sweet,
aromatic and nutty
Flavour: Nutty, warm
and slightly sweet
A large tropical
evergreen growing on
average to 12 m (40
ft) and reaching as
high as 20 m (66
ft). The bark is a
dark grey-green
which produces a
yellow juice which
oxidizes to red. It
is thickly branched
with dense foliage
with tough, dark
green, oval leaves
about 10 cm (4 in)
long. The trees are
dioecious, meaning
it has separate male
and female plants,
both being required
for fertilization.
It has small, light
yellow bell-shaped
flowers. The pale
yellow fruit is a
drupe, grooved like
an apricot,
splitting along the
groove when ripe to
expel the seed.
It prefers the rich
volcanic soils and
hot, humid
conditions of the
tropics. Nutmegs are
propagated by seeds
in nursery beds and
after about six
months they are
transplanted to the
plantation. It takes
five years for the
trees to flower, so
that the sex can be
determined and the
males can be thinned
out, leaving the
optimum situation of
one male for every
ten females. Full
bearing occurs after
15 years and the
trees continue to
bear fruit for about
fifty years. A
single mature tree
produces up to 2,000
nutmegs per year.
The fruit is often
collected with a
long pole with a
basket attached
(resembling a
lacrosse stick), to
pick the fruit from
this trees. In
Indonesia this is
called a gai gai.
When the fruit is
harvested the seed
is removed, then the
mace from the seed.
The mace is
flattened between
boards and the seeds
dried until they
rattle, when they
are shelled.
Nutmeg is usually
associated with
sweet, spicy dishes
— pies, puddings,
custards, cookies
and spice cakes. It
combines well with
many cheeses, and is
included in soufflés
and cheese sauces.
In soups it works
with tomatoes, slit
pea, chicken or
black beans. It
complements egg
dishes and
vegetables like
cabbage, spinach,
broccoli, beans
onions and eggplant.
It flavours Italian
mortadella sausages,
Scottish haggis and
Middle Eastern lamb
dishes. It is often
included as part of
the Moroccan spice
blend ras el hanout.
It is indispensable
to eggnog and
numerous mulled
wines and punches.
One whole nutmeg
grated equals 2 to 3
teaspoons of ground
nutmeg.
Nutmeg was
introduced to Europe
by the Arab traders
before the turn of
the seventh century.
In 12th century
Europe, nutmeg was
laid in piles and
burned to fumigate
the streets when
some important
personage was
expected to pay the
city a visit.
Nutmeg was of prime
importance during
the era of spice
trade and
colonialism in the
16th century.
Moluccan nutmeg
trade first came
under the control of
the Portuguese, who
had to later
relinquish it to the
Dutch. When the West
Indies region came
under the British
rule in the
nineteenth century,
nutmeg trees were
planted in Trinidad
and Grenada.
Used in small
dosages nutmeg can
reduce flatulence,
aid digestion,
improve the appetite
and treat diarrhea,
vomiting and nausea.
Nutmeg’s flavour and
fragrance come from
oil of myristica,
containing
myristicin, a
poisonous narcotic.
Myristicin can cause
hallucinations,
vomiting, epileptic
symptoms and large
dosages can cause
death. These effects
will not be induced,
however, even with
generous culinary
usage.
Regarding its health
benefits, nutmeg is
believed to aid
digestion and
relieve nausea and
the sensation of
vomiting. Nutmeg oil
is used a component
in aftershave and
scents for men,
where it lends its
characteristically
spicy scent.
And while nutmeg may
be used liberally in
culinary
preparations, care
should be taken not
to consume large
amounts of it in
concentrated form,
as it is known to
have some drug-like
properties that can
cause hallucinations
and illness.
Whole nuts are
preferable to ground
nutmeg, as flavour
deteriorates
quickly. Whole nuts
will keep
indefinitely and can
be grated as
required with a
nutmeg grater.
Nutmeg is poisonous
and should be used
in moderation, a
pinch or two is
safe. Store both
ground and whole
nutmeg away from
sunlight in airtight
containers.
As we believe in
providing quality
products that are
close to nature, we
conduct various
stringent quality
tests under the
supervision of the
experts. These tests
are performed with
due care from the
very initial stage
of procurement of
the products to the
final stage of
delivery to the end
users.
We also provide
reliable packaging
of the Jaiphal (Nutmeg)and other
Jaiphal (Nutmeg)products.
During the packaging
procedure, we keep
the hygienic level
high and also ensure
that there is no
human touch.
Moreover, the
packaging has also
helped in the easy
and safe delivery of
the products.
We are dealing with
various esteemed
clients located in
India as well as in
the markets of New
Zealand and Dubai.
We also promise to
serve a superlative
range of Jaiphal (Nutmeg)and
Jaiphal (Nutmeg)products which
includes green
Jaiphal (Nutmeg)powder to
our new customers as
we serve to our
existing satisfied
clientele. The
frequent and
concrete feedbacks
from our customers
have also helped in
the advancement of
the managerial
activities and
serving the products
as per the demand
prevailing in the
market. Last but not
the least; we are
also looking forward
to provide more
beneficial deals in
the forthcoming
years.