Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) Facts
Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) Facts
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| Interesting Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) Facts: |
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| Myristica fragrans can reach 50 to 60 feet in height. Its branches are organized in the series of rows. |
| Myristica fragrans has elliptic, glossy leaves. They are alternately arranged on the branches. Crushed leaves emit pleasant aroma. |
| Myristica fragrans produces small, bell-shaped yellow flowers. Male and female flowers develop on separate trees (dioecious plant). Male flowers are arranged in groups of 1 to 10 flowers. Clusters of female flowers contain 1 to 3 blooms. |
| Myristica fragrans is specialized for the pollination by beetle, scientifically known as Formicomus braminus. |
| Fruit of Myristica fragrans is apricot-sized drupe with fleshy husk. Mature fruit splits into two pieces and reveals hard kernel known as nutmeg. Seed is covered with red threads called mace. Both nutmeg and mace are used as spice. |
| Myristica fragrans starts to produce fruit 7 to 9 years after planting. Greatest productivity can be expected after 20 years. |
| Outer shell of the fruit needs to be discarded after the harvest. Nutmeg dries in the sun for several days or weeks. Mace is separated from the nutmeg, flattened, dried and usually ground into powder. Mace has more delicate taste than nutmeg and it is often used as food colorant (it changes the color of the food into bright orange). |
| Nutmeg is rich source of vitamins of the B group, vitamin A and C and minerals such as copper, potassium, calcium and manganese. |
| Sweet, aromatic flavor of nutmeg perfectly matches with sauces, dishes made of meat and potato, soups, various pastries, cookies and cakes. Nutmeg is also available in the form of butter. |
| Ground nutmeg quickly loses the flavor. The best flavor and aroma of nutmeg can be achieved when it is added into the meal (in the grated form) just before the serving. |
| Ground nutmeg can be smoked and used in combination with various beverages. |
| Nutmeg contains numerous essential oils that can stimulate brain activity, alleviate toothache, nausea, gastritis and indigestion. Oils can be also applied externally to decrease pain in the muscles and joints (that are result of rheumatism). |
| Essential oils obtained from nutmeg are used in the pharmaceutical (as ingredients of toothpaste and cough syrups) and perfume industry. |
| 10.000 to 20.000 tons of nutmeg are produced each year. 75% of globally produced nutmeg originates from Indonesia. |
| Myristica fragrans is perennial plant that can survive more than 20 years in the wild. |
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