Nutmeg gained a lot of popularity in the late 1500s as a treatment for plague, and became even trendier among European elites once they discovered its hallucinogenic properties (which are still a thing, according to The Atlantic). Also, spices were vanishingly rare back then, adding to the illusion of product scarcity.
Why was nutmeg so important?
Historically, grated nutmeg was used as a sachet, and the Romans used it as incense. Around 1600 it became important as an expensive commercial spice in the Western world and was the subject of Dutch plots to keep prices high and of English and French counterplots to obtain fertile seeds for transplantation.
Why did the Europeans want nutmeg?
As you know already our body loves and craves the psycho-active effects of drugs. Thus there was a huge demand for nutmeg in Europe. For Europeans, nutmeg was easier and cheaper to acquire than pepper thanks to the extensive acquisition of colonies.
What was nutmeg used for in the Renaissance?
“During the Renaissance, nutmeg was still considered a preventive medicine by Western medical authorities but its properties were usually used to treat memory loss, dizziness and blood in the urine.” A 16th century monk praised nutmeg oil rubbed on a part of the male anatomy for the same purpose that Viagra is used
Was nutmeg a cure for the plague?
During the Black Death, nutmeg commanded hysterical prices because desperate people believed it might ward off plague. Perhaps it did: fleas seem to dislike (pdf) the smell of nutmeg, so it’s just possible that someone carrying the spice might have avoided that fatal, final bite.
Why is nutmeg poisonous to humans?
Nutmeg is a commonly consumed spice. The toxic effects of nutmeg have been purported to be due mainly to myristicin oil. Prior poison center series of nutmeg exposures show very few unintentional exposures of nutmeg to children younger than 13.
How did the spice trade affect Europe?
In the 15th century, the spice trade was transformed by the European Age of Discovery. By this time, navigational equipment was better and long-haul sailing became possible. Rich entrepreneurs began outfitting explorers in hopes of circumventing Venice by discovering new ways to reach the areas where spices were grown.
What spices did Europeans crave the most?
What spices did Europeans demand? The products most in demand are ginger, uncrushed pepper, dried capsicum or pimenta, curcuma, cinnamon and cloves.
Why did Europeans love spice?
In the Middle Ages, Europeans lacked refrigeration and general hygiene, leading to food spoiling quickly. Spices were so important because they helped mask the flavor of not-so-fresh food.
What is the history of nutmeg?
Nutmeg originated in the Banda Islands of Indonesia, and was discovered by the Portuguese in 1512. The importance of the nutmeg seed was propagated by the Dutch. The name nutmeg is derived from the Latin nux muscatus, meaning “musky nut.” In India, nutmeg is known as Jaiphal.
What is the story of nutmeg?
The English word nutmeg comes from the Latin nux, meaning nut, and muscat, meaning musky. There is evidence that both nutmeg and mace were discovered as early as the 1st century A.D. when Roman author Pliny speaks of a tree bearing nuts with two flavors.
What was nutmeg used for in the 1500s?
Nutmeg gained a lot of popularity in the late 1500s as a treatment for plague, and became even trendier among European elites once they discovered its hallucinogenic properties (which are still a thing, according to The Atlantic).
What culture uses nutmeg?
Nutmeg is used in both Western and Chinese herbal medicine. It is most popular as a spice in food and drinks, and is also used in cosmetics and soaps. In ancient Greece and Rome, where nutmeg was rare and expensive, people thought it stimulated the brain. The Arabs have used nutmeg since the seventh century.
How was nutmeg used in the Middle Ages?
For the most part, medieval Europeans used nutmeg for the same medicinal properties as the Arabs and Indians, especially for intestinal ailments. Medieval Europeans also believed it warded off the plague.
How did nutmeg get to Europe?
During the Spice Trade, also in the sixth century, nutmeg was brought by Arab merchants to Constantinople. They kept the origins secret and quantities low in order to raise prices. As with most expensive foreign goods, the elite became obsessed, and the spice became even more popular in Europe.
Does nutmeg induce period?
The spice trade first brought nutmeg to Europe in the 12th century, where it rapidly gained a reputation as a seed of unusual potency, strong enough to fight infection (including the Black Plague), stimulating enough to bring on menstruation, poisonous enough to induce an abortion.
When was nutmeg first used?
The earliest evidence of use of nutmeg comes in the form of 3,500 year old potsherd residues from the island of Pulau Ai, one of the Banda Islands in eastern Indonesia. The Banda Islands consist of eleven small volcanic islands, and are part of the larger Maluku Islands group.
Is nutmeg banned in US?
Not banned in: Cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, or basil, where it occurs naturally. Some southeast Asian countries still allow its import and export.
How does nutmeg affect the brain?
Works as a brain tonic: nutmeg can effectively stimulate your brain and had been used as a brain tonic in ancient times. It can eliminate fatigue, stress and even anxiety. Nutmeg has a natural organic compound called myristicin that works like magic in keeping your brain sharp while also improving your concentration.
How spices influenced European exploration and colonial empires?
One of the major motivating factors in the European Age of Exploration was the search for direct access to the highly lucrative Eastern spice trade. In the 15th century, spices came to Europe via the Middle East land and sea routes, and spices were in huge demand both for food dishes and for use in medicines.
Why did the British want spices?
The British were stimulated by an admiration for the unknown, a yearning to experience the exotic, and most importantly, affordability and profitability. Spices were considered to be a status symbol in Britain, and for a long period in time, they were restricted to the upper-class.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.