What is a good spice substitute for nutmeg?
The best substitutes for nutmeg include aniseed, cardamom, chili powder, mace, saffron, and turmeric, among others. Allspice is named so because it’s taste is actually a blend of three spices – cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
How much fresh nutmeg equals ground nutmeg?
There is no exact standard of conversion between fresh and preground, but to give you an idea, you might only need 1/4 tsp of freshly ground nutmeg where you might need a whole teaspoon of preground – and you’ll probably get more flavor from that 1/4-tsp.
Is nutmeg good or bad?
That’s just an estimate, and in almost all cases the spice will retain flavor and aroma for much longer. Generally, you can assume that well stored whole nutmeg seeds will keep freshness for about 4 years, while ground nutmeg for about two years. That’s, of course, for the best quality.
How long does nutmeg stay fresh?
What part of the nutmeg do you use?
Which part of the nutmeg do you use - its center or just the hard outer shell? The nutmeg to which you're referring is the nutmeg seed as a whole. All of this seed can be used once grated, both the outer and inner parts.
What can I do with fresh nutmeg?
Slightly sweeter than mace, nutmeg is essential to bechamel sauce and also goes well with baked or stewed fruit, custards, eggnog, punches, curries, sauces (particularly onion-based and milk sauces), pasta, and vegetables (especially spinach).
How do you prepare fresh nutmeg?
0:070:29How To Grate Nutmeg - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTwo great fresh nutmeg use a microplane grater simply rub the whole nutmeg across the greaterMoreTwo great fresh nutmeg use a microplane grater simply rub the whole nutmeg across the greater surface. If you grate more than you need for the recipe. Store the extra in an airtight container you.
Do you peel fresh nutmeg?
You do not need to peel, cut or toast whole nutmeg seeds before preparing them. Grate the nutmeg with a microplaner, the smallest holes of a standard cheese grater or a specialized nutmeg grinder. For maximum potency, grate only as much nutmeg as you need to use immediately.
Is Whole nutmeg better than ground?
Unlike ground nutmeg, this variety, lasts indefinitely as long as its stored properly. What really distinguishes whole nutmeg from its ground counterpart is the potent flavor. Whole nutmeg is stronger tasting and has considerably more flavor.
Can you boil whole nutmeg?
put whole nutmeg into a cup and pour boiling water over it. allow to sit 15 minutes then drink.
How do I ground fresh nutmeg?
Here are some tips on how to grind whole nutmeg Peel away the shell completely from the nutmeg. Hold your grater at about a forty-five degree angle. Slide the nutmeg seed down along the grater in a smooth motion. Grate only what you need for the freshest, ground nutmeg.
How long does fresh nutmeg last?
Storage. Store ground nutmeg in an air-tight container away from heat, light, and moisture. When stored properly, ground nutmeg will retain its freshness for approximately six months. Whole nutmeg will stay fresh indefinitely, but should always be stored away from heat and moisture.
Does nutmeg have any health benefits?
Nutmeg is found to have health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.
How do you fall asleep with nutmeg?
Helps Treat Insomnia Nutmeg has a calming effect when consumed in smaller doses. Various ancient medicinal practices credit it for its sleep inducing and de-stressing effects. According to Ayurveda, you should add a pinch of nutmeg to a glass of warm milk and have it before sleeping.
Can you eat the fruit of a nutmeg?
Nutmeg is the rarest of spices. Its woody balls are the stones or pips of fruits that plump from the nutmeg tree, the beautifully named Myristica fragrans. You can eat the fruit, too, if you're lucky enough to get it: in Sulawesi they sugar it, then dry it in the sun so it partially ferments.
Is nutmeg shell edible?
the shell is mace, the inside is nutmeg. go easy on it mind, it's poisonous in any quantity (like if you tipped a whole jar in something by mistake).
What are the health benefits of nutmeg?
Nutmeg is found to have health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.
What foods go well with nutmeg?
Nutmeg Sweet, bitter cabbage, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, lamb, onion, potato, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, thyme Nutmeg is best bought whole and ground as needed.
How much nutmeg is safe?
Nutmeg is safe in small quantities. You should never exceed a teaspoon per person. You can start feeling the effects of nutmeg already at half of t...
What are the benefits of eating nutmeg?
Nutmeg is a very flavorful spice that can bring an extra dimension to almost any dish. But that’s not the only reason to eat it. Nutmeg contains po...
How to eat nutmeg?
There are two ways that you can get nutmeg, it’s either whole or grounded. The whole nutmeg is more potent and has usually more flavor when stored...
What happens if you eat too much nutmeg?
If you eat too much nutmeg, symptoms will arise from 30 minutes to three hours after consuming it. The effects can linger on up to two days. Sympto...
Cooking, Storage, and Recipes
Professional blogger and cookbook author Bethany Moncel has become an expert on making delicious, healthy meals on a budget. She also holds a nutritional science degree.
What Is Nutmeg?
To make nutmeg for seasoning, the nutmeg seeds are dried gradually in the sun over a period of six to eight weeks. During this time, the nutmeg shrinks away from its hard seed coat. The spice is ready when the kernels rattle in their shells when shaken. It is separated from the outer coat (the mace) and sold whole or ground up and packaged.
Nutmeg vs. Mace
Although both spices come from the same tree, nutmeg and mace do differ from each other. The mace, which is the outer coating of the nutmeg seed, is removed first and ground into a red-colored spice, while the nutmeg pit or seed can either be kept whole or ground up.
Whole vs. Ground
Nutmeg can be purchased as the whole seed or ground in a container. Grating the seed directly into a recipe will impart a fresher, cleaner taste than using store-bought ground nutmeg. Whole nutmeg is approximately the size of an apricot pit and will last a very long time while pre-ground nutmeg has a shorter shelf life.
What Does It Taste Like?
Nutty and slightly sweet, nutmeg is an intense spice that has a strong and distinct aroma. For those who are more sensitive to heat, nutmeg might seem almost spicy.
Cooking With Nutmeg
Nutmeg has a long culinary history and can be part of both sweet and savory dishes. It can be used whole and grated directly into a recipe or measured or shaken from a canister of pre-ground nutmeg. To use whole nutmeg, you will need a microplane or nutmeg grater to shave off a small portion of the seed.
Recipes With Nutmeg
In the United States, one of the most common uses for nutmeg is in desserts, especially apple or pumpkin pie. Nutmeg is particularly well suited for creamy or cheesy dishes and is often added to alfredo or bechamel sauce to create depth.
How does fresh nutmeg differ from ground nutmeg?
Fresh nutmeg is more flavorful and aromatic than the commercial variety. The reason is that whole nutmeg gets its flavor and aroma from volatile oils that will evaporate quickly after grinding. Because of how quickly the oils evaporate, it is best that you use ground nutmeg right away to ensure that you get as much of the flavor as possible.
Can you use fresh nutmeg in place of ground and vice versa?
Freshly ground nutmeg and pre-ground nutmeg are the same spice, which means that they are the best possible substitutes for each other. The fact that they are the best substitutes does not mean, though, that they are perfect.
When should you use fresh nutmeg and when should you use ground nutmeg?
Use fresh nutmeg wherever you want the full, unfettered flavor of nutmeg in your food. It is the spice you need wherever you want nutmeg at the forefront.
Vegetables
Nutmeg is not just for dessert recipes. You can also use it on such vegetables as sweet potatoes, red potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, winter squash, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach. Along with nutmeg, add a pat of butter, olive or coconut oil to the vegetable for an intensely flavorful combination.
Fruit
Fruit tastes and looks wonderful all by itself, and ground nutmeg kicks up both flavor and visual appeal. Sprinkle nutmeg onto raw or cooked apples, bananas, peaches, nectarines, pears, pineapple or mango. Cut up several fruits to make a mixed fruit salad, dust the fruit with nutmeg, and squeeze a little fresh lemon evenly onto the dish.
Breakfast Foods
Breakfast foods don't have to be served only in the morning. They can be a meal no matter what time it is. Using ground nutmeg on them greatly enhances their flavor. Sprinkle nutmeg over the top of quiche, scrambled eggs, omelets, pancakes, French toast and breakfast baked goods like muffins.
Desserts
Ground nutmeg goes great not just in dessert recipes, but also on them after they’re baked. Fruit pies, cakes, custard and cookies are all good candidates. Sprinkle nutmeg evenly over the dessert soon after you take it out of the oven.
Drinks
You can add a special twist to various drinks by sprinkling a little ground nutmeg on them. Nutmeg gives a kick to a mug or cup of hot coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, eggnog or cider. You don’t need to measure -- just gently add to taste. For even more flavor, sprinkle ground cinnamon or powdered cocoa in your drink along with nutmeg.
