Nutmeg

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The glory of nutmeg as a spice with a unique and specific aroma and taste dates back to antiquity and reaches our days, when nutmeg is an integral part of many ethnic cuisines. Italian, Caribbean, Indian, French, Greek cuisine, even dishes typical of Latin America and the Middle East are difficult to pass without the use of small doses of nutmeg.

History of the nutmeg

The nutmeg tree (Myristica fragans) is from the Myristica family. It is evergreen and reaches 15 meters in height. Homeland nutmeg is the Banda Islands and the Moluccas, but the local cuisine does not pay much attention to the culinary benefits of the spice. It became a favorite of the Arabs, who traded with the Far East from ancient times to the end of the Middle Ages. Strongly used as a spice in Arabic cuisine, nutmeg was brought to Europe.

Fast nutmeg Europeans liked it, but in the beginning it was very difficult because it was imported in small quantities. In the 16th century, the nutmeg was already of great interest after the Portuguese conquered the Moluccas. They immediately imposed a monopoly on the export of the spice.

After about 100 years, the archipelago was conquered by the Dutch, who in turn kept a close eye on the plantations and trees with nutmeg. Strict punishment threatened anyone who dared to pluck even a nut, and the final option was to leave the attacker without a hand. The French then managed to get seedlings from the tree and planted nutmeg plantations on the island of Mauritius.

Selection and storage of nutmeg

In the shops you can find both ground and whole stones nutmeg. When nutmeg is powdered, it is easier to use, which is why it is the most common form in which you will find it. Store the spice in tightly closed airtight jars in a dry, dark place.

Cooking with nutmeg

The culinary processing of the spice is extremely suitable if it is combined with black pepper, bay leaf, onion, parsley, soup roots. Nutmeg is an ideal spice for various meatballs, pâtés, soups, minced meat dishes, sauces, vegetable dishes. Without it, the famous Bechamel mushroom sauce would not have its characteristic taste. In Indian cuisine, the nut is used almost entirely in cakes. In European cuisine, the nut and its bark are used especially often in potato dishes.

Nutmeg and its bark have similar taste qualities, with the taste of the nut differing in that it is slightly sweeter. The crust has a light orange, saffron-like color, so it is preferred in the preparation of light sauces because it gives them a characteristic and appetizing color. The yield of nutmeg bark is only 15% of that of the whole spice, which is why it is more expensive. Nutmeg is a raw material for widely used essential oil. It is obtained by steam distillation of ground nutmeg and is widely used in perfumery and pharmaceuticals. Nutmeg essential oil is even used in the production of Coca-Cola.

Benefits of nutmeg

From time immemorial from nutmeg are prepared cough syrups. In traditional medicine, nutmeg and its oil have been used for diseases of the nervous and digestive systems. Externally nutmeg oil can be applied against rheumatic pains, as well as an emergency remedy for toothache. In digestive disorders, nutmeg essential oil is mixed in drops with honey. It also works well for bad breath.

For nausea, gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhea or upset stomach, you can apply 3 to 5 drops of oil mixed with honey or sugar. Nutmeg can have an extremely beneficial effect on a person's nervous system due to the myristicin it contains. It stimulates the production of serotonin - the hormone of happiness and peace. It's a good idea to add a little nutmeg to your tea.

Here's more benefits of nutmeg:

1. Improves digestion

Nutmeg has an excellent digestive effect. It supports the process, while relieving stomach ulcers, gas and a number of stomach ailments. To have a calm stomach, you can try how this old spice works on you.

2. A valuable remedy in the fight against insomnia

It turns out that you can effectively fight insomnia, if before going to bed, bet on a dish seasoned with nutmeg. An option is to drink tea from the famous spice. According to a very old recipe against insomnia, you can sprinkle warm milk, flavored with honey, with a little nutmeg. There are several options, try the best one for you and choose.

3. Relieves pain

Due to its rich composition, nutmeg has an analgesic effect. It also reduces stress and helps you feel better in your skin.

4. Relieves bad breath

Bad breath is a problem for many people and can be noticed at different ages. This condition lowers our self-esteem and definitely does not make us the most pleasant company for others. If you suffer from halitosis, you should definitely consult a doctor or dentist. Specialists will guide you on what to do, as the problem is not always due to diseases of the oral cavity. In the meantime, you can alleviate the condition with a little nutmeg. Other foods against bad breath are yogurt, green apples, parsley.

5. Protects the liver

Nutmeg has a good effect on the liver. This spice protects it from a number of diseases and helps to speed up the recovery of those already. Of course, if your liver is suffering, you should definitely seek medical help, because things can be very serious.

Nutmeg oil

Antiseptics properties of nutmeg make it a useful product in the production of antiseptic soaps. Nutmeg essential oil is also used for bathing due to its refreshing nature. Because nutmeg oil is an antibacterial and antiseptic agent, it is used in many cosmetic products designed for dull, oily or wrinkled skin. It is also used in the making of lotions and creams after shaving.

Nutmeg oil is good for digestion and helps relieve stomach pain and eliminate gas from the stomach and intestines.

This oil blends well with many other essential oils, including lavender oil, rosemary oil, orange oil, pepper oil, sage oil, eucalyptus oil, ginger oil and ylang-ylang.

Nutmeg oil is very useful for the treatment of muscle and joint pain, as it is an excellent sedative. It is also anti-inflammatory, so massaging nutmeg oil on the affected area is effective in arthritis, rheumatism and lumbago.

Nutmeg oil is an essential part of Chinese medicine when it comes to treating abdominal pain and inflammation. It also reduces swelling of the joints. Often overexertion leads to pain in the body or muscles and in such cases this oil can be very useful for relieving pain.

Harm from the nutmeg

If used in small doses, nutmeg does not have any negative effects on the human body. The high dose of nutmeg is about 10 grams and more and then it begins to have mild to moderate hallucinogenic effects. When overdose nutmeg is able to evoke visions and pleasant sensations that mimic the effect of marijuana use. Hallucinations and anesthesia can last up to 24 hours after the initial climax, which is about 12 hours after ingesting an overdose of nutmeg.

At the same time, unpleasant side effects such as hallucinations, nausea, dehydration, general body pain in the range of up to 36 hours after ingestion may occur. Regular and excessive use of nutmeg is able to damage the liver. When injected intravenously, nutmeg acts as a strong poison. In the past, nutmeg was used to induce abortion. Large doses of the spice, swallowed at once, are extremely dangerous - leading to convulsions and palpitations, and sometimes to death.