Nutmeg

English Name: Nutmeg

Common Indian Name (Hindi): Jaiphal

• The Nutmeg is the spice produced by the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) along with another spice known as mace.
• The nutmeg seed is encased in an edible fruit, which resembles a small peach in size and shape. The fruit splits in half to reveal the dark shiny nut-like pit, and inside that is the oval shaped seed, which is the nutmeg.
• Nutmeg is covered by lacy mace but is sold in the market without the mace or hard shell.
• The nutmeg is about 5 g to 10 g (¼ ounce to ½ ounce) when dried; and sweet, aromatic and nutty in flavor.
• Nutmeg is used in food processing industry and also used to flavor a number of products including sauces, cakes, cookies, confectionery, candies etc. In soups it works with tomatoes, chicken or black beans. It complements egg dishes and vegetables like cabbage, spinach, broccoli, beans onions and eggplant.
  Both nutmeg and mice are also used in various mughlai cuisines in India.
• Nutmeg is also popularly used for manufacturing essential oil, used heavily in pharmaceutical and perfumery industry. It is used as a major ingredient in cough syrups and in toothpaste.
• Nutmeg oil is also used for flavoring aerated drinks and syrups used to make other soft drinks.
• Nutmegs are used in small doses to reduce reduces flatulence, aid digestion; improve appetite, treatment for insomnia, common cold and dehydration.