Where Does Nutmeg Come From?

Nutmeg


Nutmeg is the fruit of an evergreen tree and the formal name of the family of tree is myristica and normally is located in the Molucca or Spice Islands.The fruit actually produces two spices, nutmeg and mace.

When the nutmeg fruit ripens the husk splits and exposes a lacy red part that's called mace. This is what surrounds the inner shell where we get the nutmeg. They remove the ripened fleshy part of the fruit before the spices are harvested for market.

Nutmeg pits are sometimes dried over slow fires traditionally for several weeks until the kernels inside the fruit rattle and that's when the shells are cracked open. The larger kernels harvested are sold whole and the smaller ones are ground, normally.

Nutmeg is normally purchased already ground up and finds its way into many desserts, puddings, and pies. It is also used to enhance the flavors in sauces, fish, meat, chicken and is used in curries. Nutmeg is also used in small amounts in beverages like punch or eggnogs.