What is nutmeg used for? Nutmeg, a pungent and a warm, slightly sweet tasting spice, is used to flavor many kinds of baked goods, confections, puddings, potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and such beverages as eggnog.
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.
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 are the most common uses for nutmeg?
It complements meat well and goes great with root vegetables and winter squash. You can use it when making hearty soups or stews. And nutmeg is just as great for baking as it is for cooking. It’s a key ingredient in many desserts, including pumpkin pie, custards, and egg nog during the holidays.
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 does nutmeg do for a woman?
03/7Here’s why women must have a pinch of nutmeg everyday!
Even according to Ayurveda, this spice helps in calming the nervous system and improves blood circulation to the reproductive organs. This is the reason why it has been deemed as women’s viagra.
What does nutmeg taste like?
What Does Nutmeg Taste Like? A popular spice available in both ground and whole form, nutmeg is known for its warm, nutty flavor, making it the perfect addition to comforting sweet and savory dishes. Once ground, nutmeg spice takes on a warm and aromatic flavor with notes of clove.
Why was nutmeg so valuable?
So, why was nutmeg so valuable? Well, Krondl likens it to the iPhone of the 1600s. It was fashionable among the wealthy. It was exotic and potent enough to induce hallucinations — or at least a nutmeg bender, as detailed in this account from The Atlantic.
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 were cloves and nutmeg so valuable?
The Arabs were the first to use cloves and nutmeg extensively in food preparation. In fact, spices were greatly appreciated all across the Middle East for their fragrance and medicinal properties, as well as for their enhancement of flavor in food.
What does nutmeg and milk do?
Helps Treat Insomnia
Nutmeg has a calming effect when consumed in smaller doses. Various ancient medicinal practices credit it for its sleep inducing and de-stressing effects. According to Ayurveda, you should add a pinch of nutmeg to a glass of warm milk and have it before sleeping.
How much nutmeg do I take to sleep?
The sedative effects of nutmeg last for 8 hours, so the effects need to go into place 8 hours before a person needs to be awake. If someone took nutmeg at 10 p.m., then its effects could last well into the morning hours. The amount taken is anywhere from 1 to 10 grams.
How does nutmeg affect blood pressure?
Lowers high blood pressure
Also, nutmeg spice is rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium which are the key nutrients to manage high blood pressure. In addition, the stress relieving properties of this spice helps in relaxing the blood vessels which in turn helps in the smooth functioning of the heart.
Why does nutmeg make you sleepy?
A natural chemical called trimyristin found in nutmeg is responsible for inducing sleep, relaxing your tired muscles and nerves and set in a sense of calm.
What does nutmeg oil do in the bedroom?
Nutmeg essential oil is packed with both, stimulant and sedative properties, besides an uplifting aroma. These remarkably lower high blood pressure levels and ease stress, tension, worry in the mind. In addition, this natural residue also alleviates depression, anxiety, insomnia and promotes deep sleep.
What’s healthier nutmeg or cinnamon?
Nutmeg is almost two times higher in calories than Cinnamon. Nutmeg provides 525 calories per 100g, and Cinnamon contains 247 calories per the same amount.
Is nutmeg healthier than cinnamon?
Cinnamon is also rich in potassium, calcium, fiber, and iron source. The folate content in nutmeg is 10 times more than that in cinnamon. Both saturated fat and monounsaturated fat in cinnamon are much lower than nutmeg.
Is nutmeg good for your health?
Nutmeg is a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against the signs of aging and serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. Nutmeg oil is used in several dental products.
Does nutmeg taste like cinnamon?
They’re completely different. Cinnamon is warm, woody, hot, sweet, spicy, bark. Nutmeg is eggnog. If you want something to taste like Christmas, use it.
What does nutmeg smell like?
The Good Scents Company Information Listings
Odor Descriptors for nutmeg | |
---|---|
odor: sweet spicy clove phenolic woody nutmeg powdery | |
flavor: Spicy, sweet, clove and woody with a slightly warm phenolic nuance | |
FR | bark carbaldehyde |
odor: fresh grassy oily green spicy |
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.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.