Nutmeg/Mace

Nutmeg


Nutmeg is usually grown in Asia and Austrialasia, there are two spices derivied from the one fruit, netmeg and mace.

Nutmeg is the actual seed of the tree it is egg shaped and is about 1 inch long. While mace is the dried “lacy” red covering around the seed. The actually fruit part of the evergreen tree made is used in Grenada to make jams called Morne Delice. In Indonesia the fruit is sliced thinly and then cooked and crystallized to make candy.


Culinary Uses

Nutmeg and mace are similar in taste, while nutmeg is sweeter and mace has more of a delicate taste. Mace has an orange color similar to saffron so it is usually used in light colored dishes. Nutmeg is a flavorful addition to cheese sauces and is best if grated fresh.

Nutmeg is usually used in sweet dished in Indian Cuisine. It is called Jaiphal in most parts of India. They also used nutmeg in a smoked form.

In European cuisine nutmeg and mace are used in potato dished and processed meat dishes. They also use it in soups, sauces and baked goods. While in Dutch cuisine it is used on Brussels sprouts and cauliflower and string beans

To get the essential oils out it nutmeg it is done by steaming ground nutmeg and the essential oils are used in perfumes and in the pharmaceutical industry. The oil is colorless and or light yellow and smells like nutmeg. It is used as a natural flavor of baked goods, syrups and beverages. It is a replacement of ground nutmeg so there is nothing l floating in the food. The essential oils are found in toothpaste and in cough medicines. Nutmeg oils are used for treating illnesses related to nervousness and digestive problems.
It is also used for rheumatic pain it also can be used for treatment to a dull toothache.

In France they use it in liquid form they put some drops in honey for a stomach ache and used for bad breath. Drops are also put on sugar cubes and or on a teaspoon of honey for nausea.

The History of Nutmeg

It is said that Roman Priest used to burn it as a form of incenses. It was also known to be used as a prize and a costly spice. In Elizabethan times it was believed that it was used to ward off the plague so nutmeg was very popular.

As a result of the Dutch interregnum during the Napoleonic Wars, the English took temporary control of the Banda Islands from the Dutch and transplanted nutmeg trees to their own colonial holdings elsewhere, notably. Today, a stylised split-open nutmeg fruit is found on the national flag of Grenada.

At one time, nutmeg was one of the most valuable spices. It has been said that in, several hundred years ago, a few nutmeg nuts could be sold for enough money to enable financial independence for life.
The first harvest of nutmeg trees takes place 7–9 years after planting and the trees reach their full potential after 20 years.

Risk and Toxicity

In low doses it is not harmful. In Large doses over 12 teaspoons or more is very dangerous it can cause convulsions, palpitations and nausea, eventually dehydration and general body pain. 4-8 teaspoons can cause mild to medium hallucinogen producing visual distortion and a mild euphoria. A test was conducted showed when ingested a large amount nutmeg takes on similar chemical makeup as ecstacy. Nutmeg is not usually used as a recreational drug because of its unpleasant taste and its side effects including dizziness, flushes, dry mouth, accelerated heartbeat, temporary constipation, difficulty in urination, nausea, and panic.

Lavender

Lavender is a strong aromatic shrub that has purple flowers when it blooms. It is usually 2-6 cm long and 4-6 mm broad with evergreen like leaves. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in landscapes. It is very fragrant and it can survive on very minimal water. It does not grow well in damp soil; it is also can survive in the cold weather.

Lavender has different uses it is not just a pretty shrub it is also used as herbal medicine, in either it essential oils or as herbal tea. The flowers can also been used in cooking it is one of the herbs in herbes de Provence. Lavender in its essential oil form is usually used in relaxing and massages therapy. It is put in eye pillows or in a bathtub for calming and relaxing sensation.