Spice of the week: Nutmeg

Hello Everyone!

This week we will discuss the spice nutmeg. It is a warm spice that is often used this time of year in fall and holiday cooking. Nutmeg comes from the evergreen tree Myristica fragrans, which is indigenous to the Moluccas (the Spice Islands) of Indonesia. Indonesia was the sole source of nutmeg production until the 19th century. Today, Indonesia produces 90% of the world’s nutmeg. You can find nutmeg in either its whole form or ground form. Ground nutmeg is made by grinding the whole nutmeg into a powder. Because it is produced in a limited part of the world, nutmeg (especially whole nutmeg) can be pricey.

Nutmeg has a variety of nutritional benefits. Some of the nutrients nutmeg contains includes manganese, cooper, magnesium, and thiamin. Nutmeg has a small amount of fiber. Nutmeg also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Although nutmeg consists of the aforementioned benefits, some studies claim that nutmeg can be poisonous if consumed in large quantities. The recommendation is that one person should not consume more than 1 teaspoon a day. Nutmeg has a compound called myristicin, which comes with some side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and irregular heartbeat. Nutmeg poisoning is rare because the average person does not consume more than 1 teaspoon of nutmeg per day.

I like to use nutmeg in many ways. Take a look at how I consume nutmeg in my list below.

• in my mashed sweet potatoes
• in my butternut squash soup
• in my pancake/waffle batter
• in my fried apples
• in cookies and other baked goods
• as an ingredient in egg nog

Do you ever make your own ground nutmeg from whole nutmeg? What are some of your favorite ways to consume nutmeg?