Nutmeg is a spice made from the seed of the nutmeg tree or Myristica fragrans.

Nutmeg can be purchased in two forms, whole or ground. Ground nutmeg has been milled to a rough powder form and, although convenient, tends to lose its flavor and aroma quickly. For this reason, ground nutmeg is generally sold in very small quantities.

Whole nutmeg is approximately the size of an apricot pit and has an indefinite shelf life. To use whole nutmeg, a microplane or nutmeg grater must be used to shave off a small portion of the seed. Because nutmeg is so strongly flavored, only a small amount is needed to impart a large amount of flavor.

Botanically known as Myristica fragrans, the nutmeg tree originates in Banda, the largest of the Molucca spice islands of Indonesia

In the first century A.D., Roman author Pliny speaks of a tree bearing nuts with two flavors. Emperor Henry VI was said to have the streets of Rome fumigated with nutmegs before his coronation. In the the sixth century, nutmegs were brought by Arab merchants to Constantinople.


Nutmeg Production
When the nutmeg fruit is about to split apart, the fruit is harvested and the fruit’s kernel and seed are separated. Then the seed is dried in the sunlight and the nutmeg is produced.