Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect. A light sprinkling of the spice in a warm pumpkin soup can help spice up your evening.
Nutmeg is the 'nut', while mace is the surrounding lacy 'aril'. Nutmeg is insect pollinated, but there is lack of agreement as to what insects are responsible. Flack and Cruikshank (1969) stated that "natural pollination is carried out by a moth". Ridley (1912) stated that he had seen only small bees and small beetles visit the flowers. Nutmeg is one of the most popular holiday spices, and a part of nearly every cuisine. I enjoy nutmeg as a delicious flavor accent in vegetables, cookies, beverages and desserts. Nutmeg is also known to ease symptoms of arthritis, muscle aches, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism, aid digestion, relieve nausea and quench the urge to toss your cookies.
The nutmeg fruit is similar in appearance to an apricot and is commonly used for seasoning foods. It helps prevent gas and fermentation in the intestinal tract. Nutmeg is an optional ingredient in a famous Caribbean spice paste, Jamaican jerk. Nutmeg has a warm, spicy aroma and flavour and can be used in sweet and savoury cooking.
Nutmeg is one flavor and mace is the other, made from grinding the lacy outer covering surrounding the nutmeg. Quite interestingly, the Dutch East Indies Company controlled nutmeg production for hundreds of years and coveted this spice so much that even the location of the Spice Islands was kept a secret. Nutmeg is extremely toxic when injected intravenously and can also cause liver damage if used regularly in large quantities. Nutmeg is also used in the manufacture of inhalents and linaments used to relieve the congestion associated with influenza and colds.
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