CEYLON NUTMEG

What is Ceylon Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a popular spice made from the seeds of Myristica fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree.

It has a warm, slightly nutty flavour and is often used in desserts and curries, as well as drinks like mulled wine and chai tea.

Nutmeg and Mace are two separate spices derived from the fruit of the tree Myristica fragrans of the family Myristicaceae. Myristica fragrans is, in fact, the only tree in the world that produces two separate spices. The fruit contains a hard pit, which is a nutmeg, while the lacy red membrane that surrounds it is called mace.

Mace is much more costly than nutmeg because its capitulation is about ten times less that of nutmeg.

The fruits are fleshy and broad, with longitudinal ridges along their circumference. During ripening, the fruit’s colour changes to yellow, and the pericarp is split into two halves, exposing the seeds. The shiny seeds are covered by a red aril. The flavour of mace is softer and fruitier than that of nutmeg and is used in delicately flavoured recipes. It consists of essential oils, which give it its well-defined flavour and aroma.

Nutmeg is normally paired with cheese. Many pasta dishes, including traditional Italian Bolognese sauce and even macaroni and cheese, are elevated by an enthusiastic grating of the spice. Nutmeg is frequently used in deserts of all sorts, uniquely in cooler months when its warming flavour and fragrance add a cosy note to baked goods. A cup of eggnog or traditional Barbadian rum punch would not be complete without a grating of nutmeg dusted on top. It is often included in the Moroccan spice blend ras el hanout.

Although it’s more commonly used for its flavour than its health benefits, nutmeg carries a magnificent array of powerful composites that may help prevent disease and promote your overall health.

Nutmeg and mace powder are primarily used for culinary purposes to flavour curries, confectioneries, bakery products, and beverages, including eggnog, tea, and coffee. Mace powder has a distinct spicy-sweet taste and is used to add flavour to food, domestically and commercially. It is a widely used ingredient in desserts and baked products like desserts, confectionaries, and baked food.

Like Ceylon Tea and other varieties of spices, nutmeg grown in Sri Lanka has developed an intricate chemical composition and a flavour complex based on the country’s unique terroir, and it is identified under the geographical indication of Ceylon Nutmeg.

What are the Health Benefits of Nutmeg & Mace ?

The essential oils and nutrients in mace powder are responsible for its medicinal value. It is also known to be an antifungal, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, digestive, and carminative agent. It is a great source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, and magnesium. It is also rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A, and many flavonoid antioxidants like beta carotene and cryptoxanthin.