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Nutmeg

Nutmeg

Myristica fragrans

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Magnoliids

Order: Magnoliales

Family: Myristicaceae

Genus: MyristicaGronov.

Species

About 100 species, including:

• Myristica argentea• Myristica fragrans• Myristica inutilis• Myristica leptophylla• Myristica malabarica• Myristica macrophylla• Myristica otoba• Myristica platysperma• Myristica sinclairii

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Myristica fragrans tree in Goa, India.

Nutmegs in a tree, Kerala, India

Nutmeg is several species of trees in genus Myristica. The mostimportant commercial species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreentree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of Indonesia, orSpice Islands. The nutmeg tree is important for two spices derivedfrom the fruit, nutmeg and mace.[1]

Nutmeg is the actual seed of the tree, roughly egg-shaped and about20 to 30 mm (0.8 to 1 in) long and 15 to 18 mm (0.6 to 0.7 in) wide,and weighing between 5 and 10 g (0.2 and 0.4 oz) dried, while maceis the dried "lacy" reddish covering or aril of the seed. This is theonly tropical fruit that is the source of two different spices.

Several other commercial products are also produced from the trees,including essential oils, extracted oleoresins, and nutmeg butter (seebelow).

The outer surface of the nutmeg bruises easily.The pericarp (fruit/pod) is used in Grenada to make a jam called"Morne Delice". In Indonesia, the fruit is also made into jam, calledselei buah pala, or sliced finely, cooked and crystallised to make afragrant candy called manisan pala ("nutmeg sweets").

The Common or Fragrant Nutmeg, Myristica fragrans, native to theBanda Islands of Indonesia, is also grown in Penang Island inMalaysia and the Caribbean, especially in Grenada. It also grows in Kerala, a state in the south part of India. Otherspecies of nutmeg include Papuan Nutmeg M. argentea from New Guinea, and Bombay Nutmeg M. malabaricafrom India, called Jaiphal in Hindi; both are used as adulterants of M. fragrans products.

Culinary uses

Nutmeg and mace have similar taste qualities, nutmeg having a slightly sweeter and mace a more delicate flavour.Mace is often preferred in light dishes for the bright orange, saffron-like hue it imparts. Nutmeg is a tasty addition tocheese sauces and is best grated fresh (see nutmeg grater). Nutmeg is a traditional ingredient in mulled cider, mulledwine, and eggnog.

In Penang cuisine, nutmeg is made into pickles and these pickles are even shredded as toppings on the uniquelyPenang Ais Kacang. Nutmeg is also blended (creating a fresh, green, tangy taste and white colour juice) or boiled(resulting in a much sweeter and brown juice) to make Iced Nutmeg juice or as it is called in Penang Hokkien, "LauHau Peng".In Indian cuisine, nutmeg is used in many sweet as well as savoury dishes (predominantly in Mughlai cuisine). It isknown as Jaiphal in most parts of India and as Jatipatri and Jathi seed in Kerala. It may also be used in smallquantities in garam masala. Ground nutmeg is also smoked in India.In Middle Eastern cuisine, nutmeg grounds are often used as a spice for savoury dishes. In Arabic, nutmeg is calledJawzt at-Tiyb.In Greece and Cyprus nutmeg is called μοσχοκάρυδο (moschokarydo) (Greek: "musky nut") and is used in cookingand savoury dishes.In European cuisine, nutmeg and mace are used especially in potato dishes and in processed meat products; they arealso used in soups, sauces, and baked goods. In Dutch cuisine nutmeg is quite popular, it is added to vegetables likeBrussels sprouts, cauliflower, and string beans.

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Japanese varieties of curry powder include nutmeg as an ingredient.In the Caribbean, nutmeg is often used in drinks such as the Bushwacker, Painkiller, and Barbados rum punch.Typically it is just a sprinkle on the top of the drink.

Essential oils

Nutmeg seeds

The essential oil is obtained by the steam distillation of groundnutmeg and is used heavily in the perfumery and pharmaceuticalindustries. The oil is colourless or light yellow, and smells and tastesof nutmeg. It contains numerous components of interest to theoleochemical industry, and is used as a natural food flavouring inbaked goods, syrups, beverages, and sweets. It replaces groundnutmeg as it leaves no particles in the food. The essential oil is alsoused in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, for instance, intoothpaste, and as a major ingredient in some cough syrups. Intraditional medicine nutmeg and nutmeg oil were used for illnessesrelated to the nervous and digestive systems.

Nutmeg butterNutmeg butter is obtained from the nut by expression. It is semi-solid, reddish brown in colour, and tastes and smellsof nutmeg. Approximately 75% (by weight) of nutmeg butter is trimyristin, which can be turned into myristic acid, a14-carbon fatty acid which can be used as a replacement for cocoa butter, can be mixed with other fats likecottonseed oil or palm oil, and has applications as an industrial lubricant.

History

Mace (red) within nutmeg fruit

There is some evidence to suggest that Roman priests may haveburned nutmeg as a form of incense, although this is disputed. It isknown to have been used as a prized and costly spice in medievalcuisine, used as flavourings, medicines, preserving agents, that wereat the time highly valued in European markets. Saint Theodore theStudite ( ca. 758 – ca. 826) was famous for allowing his monks tosprinkle nutmeg on their pease pudding when required to eat it. InElizabethan times it was believed that nutmeg could ward off theplague, so nutmeg was very popular.

The small Banda Islands were the world's only source of nutmeg andmace. Nutmeg was traded by Arabs during the Middle Ages and sold to the Venetians for exorbitant prices, but thetraders did not divulge the exact location of their source in the profitable Indian Ocean trade and no European wasable to deduce their location.

In August 1511, on behalf of the king of Portugal, Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca, which at the time was the hub of Asian trade. In November of that year, after having secured Malacca and learning of the Bandas' location, Albuquerque sent an expedition of three ships led by his good friend António de Abreu to find them. Malay pilots, either recruited or forcibly conscripted, guided them via Java, the Lesser Sundas and Ambon to Banda, arriving in early 1512.[2] The first Europeans to reach the Bandas, the expedition remained in Banda for about one month, purchasing and filling their ships with Banda's nutmeg and mace, and with cloves in which Banda had a

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thriving entrepôt trade.[3] The first written accounts of Banda are in Suma Oriental, a book written by the Portugueseapothecary Tomé Pires based in Malacca from 1512 to 1515. But full control of this trade was not possible and theyremained largely participants, rather than overlords since the authority Ternate held over the nutmeg-growing centreof the Banda Islands was quite limited. Therefore, the Portuguese failed to gain a foothold in the islands themselves.The trade in nutmeg later became dominated by the Dutch in the 17th century. The British and Dutch engaged inprolonged struggles to gain control of Run island, then the only source of nutmeg. At the end of the SecondAnglo-Dutch War the Dutch gained control of Run in exchange for the British controlling New Amsterdam (NewYork) in North America.The Dutch managed to establish control over the Banda Islands after an extended military campaign that culminatedin the massacre or expulsion of most of the islands' inhabitants in 1621. Thereafter, the Banda Islands were run as aseries of plantation estates, with the Dutch mounting annual expeditions in local war-vessels to extirpate nutmegtrees planted elsewhere.As a result of the Dutch interregnum during the Napoleonic Wars, the English took temporary control of the BandaIslands from the Dutch and transplanted nutmeg trees to their own colonial holdings elsewhere, notably Zanzibar andGrenada. Today, a stylised split-open nutmeg fruit is found on the national flag of Grenada.Connecticut gets its nickname ("the Nutmeg State", "Nutmegger") from the legend that some unscrupulousConnecticut traders would whittle "nutmeg" out of wood, creating a "wooden nutmeg" (a term which came to meanany fraud) [4].

World production

Commercial jar of nutmeg mace

World production of nutmeg is estimated to average between 10000and 12000 tonnes (9800 and 12000 long tons) per year with annualworld demand estimated at 9000 tonnes (8900 long tons); productionof mace is estimated at 1500 to 2000 tonnes (1500 to 2000 longtons). Indonesia and Grenada dominate production and exports ofboth products with a world market share of 75% and 20%respectively. Other producers include India, Malaysia (especiallyPenang where the trees are native within untamed areas), Papua NewGuinea, Sri Lanka, and Caribbean islands such as St. Vincent. Theprincipal import markets are the European Community, the UnitedStates, Japan, and India. Singapore and the Netherlands are majorre-exporters.

At one time, nutmeg was one of the most valuable spices. It has beensaid that in England, several hundred years ago, a few nutmeg nutscould be sold for enough money to enable financial independence forlife.

The first harvest of nutmeg trees takes place 7–9 years after plantingand the trees reach their full potential after 20 years.

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Psychoactivity and toxicityIn low doses, nutmeg produces no noticeable physiological or neurological response.Nutmeg contains myristicin, a weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Myristicin poisoning can induce convulsions,palpitations, nausea, eventual dehydration, and generalized body pain[5] . It is also reputed to be a strong deliriant.[6]

Fatal myristicin poisonings in humans are very rare, but two have been reported, in an 8-year-old child[7] and a55-year-old adult[8] .Myristicin poisoning is also potentially deadly to pets and livestock even in culinary quantities. For this reason, forexample, it is recommended not to feed eggnog to dogs[9] .

Use as a Recreational DrugUse of nutmeg as a recreational drug is unpopular due to its unpleasant taste and its possible negative side effects,including dizziness, flushes, dry mouth, accelerated heartbeat, temporary constipation, difficulty in urination, nausea,and panic. In addition, experiences usually last well over 24 hours and sometimes in excess of 48 hours, makingrecreational use rather impractical.Speculative comparisons between the effects of nutmeg intoxication and MDMA (or 'ecstasy') have been made.[10]

However, nutmeg contains bodily-synthesized amphetamine derivatives from the main chemical components ofnutmeg, myristicin and elemicin. Not every person will synthesize these amphetamine derivatives.[11]

In his autobiography, Malcolm X mentions incidences of prison inmates consuming nutmeg powder, usually dilutedin a glass of water, in order to become inebriated. The prison guards eventually catch on to this practice and crackdown on nutmeg's use as a psychoactive in the prison system. In William Burrough's appendix of Naked Lunch, hementions nutmeg causing a similar experience to marijuana but instead of relieving nausea, it causes it.

Toxicity during pregnancyNutmeg was once considered an abortifacient, but may be safe for culinary use during pregnancy. However, itinhibits prostaglandin production and contains hallucinogens that may affect the fetus if consumed in largequantities.[12]

See also• Run (island): Seventeenth-century British-Dutch rivalry for a source of nutmegs.

References• Shulgin, A. T., Sargent, T. W., & Naranjo, C. (1967). Chemistry and psychopharmacology of nutmeg and of

several related phenylisopropylamines. United States Public Health Service Publication 1645: 202–214.• Gable, R. S. (2006). The toxicity of recreational drugs. American Scientist 94: 206–208.• Devereux, P. (1996). Re-Visioning the Earth: A Guide to Opening the Healing Channels Between Mind and

Nature. New York: Fireside. pp. 261–262.• Milton, Giles (1999), Nathaniel's Nutmeg: How One Man's Courage Changed the Course of History• Erowid Nutmeg Information [13]

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External links• Do You Know About the Narcotic Effects of Nutmeg? [14]

• Antifungal Properties of Nutmeg Essential oil [15]

References[1] (http:/ / www. britannica. com/ EBchecked/ topic/ 422816/ nutmeg)[2] Hannard (1991), page 7; Milton, Giles (1999). Nathaniel's Nutmeg. London: Sceptre. pp. 5 and 7. ISBN 978-0-340-69676-7.[3] Hannard (1991), page 7[4] http:/ / www. cslib. org/ nicknamesCT. htm[5] "BMJ" (http:/ / emj. bmj. com/ cgi/ content/ full/ 22/ 3/ 223). .[6] "Erowid" (http:/ / www. erowid. org/ plants/ nutmeg/ ). .[7] "The Use of Nutmeg as a Psychotropic Agent" (http:/ / www. erowid. org/ plants/ nutmeg/ nutmeg_journal1. shtml). .[8] "Nutmeg (myristicin) poisoning--report on a fatal case and a series of cases recorded by a poison information centre" (http:/ / www. ncbi.

nlm. nih. gov/ pubmed/ 11343860). .[9] "Don't Feed Your Dog Toxic Foods" (http:/ / www. dog-first-aid-101. com/ toxic-foods. html). .[10] "MDMA" (http:/ / leda. lycaeum. org/ ?ID=5469). .[11] Beyer J., Ehlers D., Maurer H.H. (2006). Abuse of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans houtt.) : Studies on the metabolism and the toxicologic

detection of its ingredients elemicin, myristicin, and safrole in rat and human urine using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry. Therapeuticdrug monitoring. 28(4):568-575.

[12] Herb and drug safety chart (http:/ / www. babycentre. co. uk/ pregnancy/ isitsafeto/ herb& drugchart/ ) Herb and drug safety chart fromBabyCentre UK

[13] http:/ / www. erowid. org/ plants/ nutmeg/ nutmeg. shtml[14] http:/ / www. alternet. org/ drugreporter/ 140480/ do_you_know_about_the_narcotic_effects_of_nutmeg[15] http:/ / pages. unibas. ch/ mdpi/ ecsoc-3/ d0002/ d0002. html

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Article Sources and ContributorsNutmeg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=336766802  Contributors: A Softer Answer, A. B., A3RO, Academic Challenger, Acroterion, Adamccl, Addshore, AdenosineTriphosphate, Admch4, Aelffin, Aka042, Alfrodull, Allen3, Alnokta, Alvis, Ameilio, AndonicO, Andrei Stroe, Andrewa, Android79, Andycjp, Anjow, Ann O'nyme, Anomalocaris, AntonioLopez, Arj, Atlant, Auric, Awiseman, Axgoss, Bad words suc, Badagnani, Balloon6, Beatle2102, Beland, Bendzh, Bigwyrm, Billyk63, Blanchardb, BoH, Bobo192, Bonás, Boricuamark,Brandon5485, Brougham96, Buchem, Buster79, Cantara, Capricorn42, Catgut, Catharticflux, Cews, Chris the speller, ChrisDHDR, Clawson, Crazykid4u, Cremepuff222, Ctande, Cuaxdon,Custoo, Cybercobra, DVD R W, Damniggarsumgoodbud, DanielCD, Danny, Darius Bacon, David Stewart, David.Monniaux, DewiMorgan, Dforest, Digfarenough, Discospinster, Dmethoxibit,DoubleD17, Driehoek, Dumbo1, Dysepsion, Dysmorodrepanis, E.T.Smith, EEMIV, Earthlyreason, Edgar181, Edwardtbabinski, Eequor, El3ctr0nika, Ellenois, Eloil, Emoxstoned, English spy,Epbr123, Eric-Wester, Erpbridge, Espen, Exploding Boy, Exxolon, Fabrictramp, FaerieInGrey, FocalPoint, Francs2000, Freeet, Frotz, Fxer, GSEkng, Gene Nygaard, Gilliam, Glane23,GlassCobra, GngstrMNKY, Gogo Dodo, GoldenXuniversity, Gonzalo Diethelm, Graham87, Gurch, Haham hanuka, Halogenated, Halvorf, Hans Frandsen, HarmonyRocket, Heah, Hesperian,Hohum, Holocam, Hut 8.5, II MusLiM HyBRiD II, IW.HG, IceCreamAntisocial, Invertzoo, Ioeth, Irishguy, Ixfd64, J.delanoy, JONJONAUG, Jacknjill123, Jake Wartenberg, Jaknouse, Jane023,JaymzSpyhunter, Jcwf, Jerem43, Jessel, Jessicapierce, Jhwelsch, Jkeene, Jketola, Jmgarg1, JoJan, JoanneB, JodyB, Joesteels phd, Johnbrownsbody, Jonathunder, Juan de Vojníkov, Justinleif,KPH2293, Kaivosukeltaja, Karuna8, Kcordina, Ken Dailey, Kf4bdy, Killing Vector, Killiondude, Kingdon, Kk sze, Klow, KnightValor, Kukini, Kvasir, Kwertii, Kz9dsr0t387346, La Pianista,Lankiveil, LeilaniLad, Lexi Marie, Lights, Lisapollison, LtNOWIS, Luminum, MPF, Macruzq, Maddieroth1, Manggo, Manuel Anastácio, Marianocecowski, Martin451, Matthew Treder, Mattis,Maxim, Mbz1, McGeddon, Mcsee, Mentalmoose, Merbabu, Meta-Physician, Midnight Comet, Mike Rosoft, Mirza Barlas, Mkweise, Moaks9, Mogk, Moink, Moogwrench, Mr Stephen, Mr.Lefty, MrDarcy, Mrcopyfighter, Muchness, N5iln, Naddy, Nakon, NawlinWiki, Ncc1701zzz, Neverquick, Niduzzi, Nipisiquit, NoIdeaNick, Noddycr, Nooby aok, Noremacmada, Obesehawk676,Orangemike, Oroso, Pacula, Palace of the Purple Emperor, Pascal.Tesson, Peyre, Philip Trueman, Phr, Piano non troppo, PierceG, Pinothyj, Pollyclass, Polyhedron, Preslethe, Quadell, RYNORT,Rd232, Rdsmith4, Reprah, Rfc1394, Richard Barlow, Richard New Forest, Rjd0060, Robert Foley, Ronkonkaman, RxS, SDJ, STGM, Salvor, Samdira, Sanders muc, Scott Adler, Seanlavelle,Secret7000, Segilla, Sh, Shekure, Singlemaltscotch, Sintaku, Sniperz11, Snoopy321, Snowboardpunk, Soliloquial, Some thing, Sparisi1122, Stephensuleeman, Strdst grl, Sumo180, Superbeecat,Superbeef, Tannin, Tauʻolunga, Tcncv, Ted Longstaffe, The Nerd from Earth, Tide rolls, Tkynerd, Tom harrison, Tomchiukc, Trusilver, Truthandcoffee, Tsm17, Tumey, UpstateNYer, VMSMosaic, Verrai, Vijendrapal, Whig, Wik, Wiki User 68, WikiLeon, Windchaser, Windi, Wolf1728, WormRunner, WriterHound, Wspr81, Wsvlqc, Wyss, X1987x, Xy7, Xyzzyplugh, Yashgaroth,Zairatool, Zundark, 584 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributorsfile:Koeh-097.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Koeh-097.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Franz Eugen Köhler, in Köhler's Medizinal-PflanzenImage:Myristica fragrans trunk W IMG_2464.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Myristica_fragrans_trunk_W_IMG_2464.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution 3.0  Contributors: User:J.M.GargImage:Nutmegs in a tree.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nutmegs_in_a_tree.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:ShekureImage:muscade.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Muscade.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Amada44, Ies, Man vyi, Metoc, Michau Sm, Nk, Perline,WayneRay, 1 anonymous editsImage:Nutmeg Zanz41.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nutmeg_Zanz41.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: Mila ZinkovaImage:Nutmeg.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nutmeg.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: KVDP, 2 anonymous edits

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