general description
Nutmeg is the heart of the bony part of the nutmeg fruit.
a tree that has been growing for almost 100 years, and actively bears fruit in total
first 40 years. In one fruitful year, a plant can give more
10 thousand fruits, which have the color and size of a large apricot.
When fully ripe, the fruits burst in half.
The nut itself is nothing more than a seed inside a bone and for
its compartments, the bones are first dried in the sun and then cleaned
from the tree shell. The kernels are re-dried over an open
fire until they acquire a dark brown color. General term
obtaining high-quality nutmeg can reach 2,5-4 months.
The finished nut has an oval shape of 2-3 cm – in length and 1,5-2 cm –
wide. However, some nuts are more round in shape, which affects
saturation of the aroma.
Application of nutmeg
The properties of nutmeg have been known since ancient times.
Rome and Ancient Greece. It has been used to treat many diseases,
added to food and scented the air. In the 1st century. the spice was
described by Pliny the Younger, and its widespread use began
only after a millennium. To Europe and other countries of the world nutmeg
the nut got into during the colonial campaigns of the Portuguese and Dutch.
They owned the Molluc Islands, where nutmeg grew
wood. Until the beginning of the 19th century. Holland and Portugal managed to keep
the world monopoly and the high price of the spice. However, after the start
fruiting plantations in India, Latin America, Indonesia and Ceylon
the price of nutmeg plummeted. Wild nutmeg
can be found on the islands of Yama and Sumatra. And special plantations
for the cultivation of walnuts are mainly concentrated in Brazil, India,
Sri Lanka and African countries.
It is best to purchase nutmeg in kernels. So they last longer
retain their aroma and beneficial properties. If there is no possibility
buy a whole nut, then you need to choose a ground nut in an airtight
resealable packaging from a trusted manufacturer.
Useful properties of nutmeg
Composition and presence of nutrients
Raw nutmeg contains (in 100 g):
Calories 525 Kcal
Nutmeg kernels contain vitamins (A,
groups B, PP,
H,
E),
minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, chlorine, sulfur, sodium, zinc,
copper, iodine and others), essential oils, starch and pectin.
Useful and healing properties
When using ground nutmeg in small doses,
its positive properties. It has a strong stimulating and
tonic effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Nutmeg is used in oriental medicine to treat men
with rapid ejaculation, impotence and other disorders associated
with a lack of sexual desire and, as a result, arousal.
Very small doses of nutmeg can calm the nervous
system, regain lost sleep. Adding it to warm up the massage
oil or hot tea can get rid of the first signs of a cold
and boost immunity.
If cooked with nutmeg and warm sunflower
oil is a thick paste, then it can be used to treat myositis,
arthritis,
rheumatism and osteochondrosis. To do this, apply a still warm paste
on a sore spot, cover with polyethylene and a warm cloth. Leave
such a compress for 10-20 minutes until it cools completely.
Nutmeg is great for constipation, diarrhea and more
disorders of the stomach and intestines, as well as loss of appetite,
excessive gassing. To do this, mix low-fat yogurt,
water (125 g each), dry ginger
and nutmeg (1/3 tsp each). Drink the resulting mixture in one gulp.
In cooking
Ground nutmeg is widely used in the food industry
and cooking. It is added to baked goods, cottage cheese desserts, pies,
chocolate products, sauces, compotes, soups, side dishes, vegetable dishes
and meat. Walnut goes well with tomatoes,
therefore it is one of the components of factory tomato juices
and ketchups. Also nutmeg is added during the cooking process.
into alcoholic beverages (wine,
punch, mulled wine) and milk-based cocktails for their additional
aromatization. In the food industry, nutmeg is used
in the manufacture of canned fish, curry mixtures and other products
power supply.
In addition to nutmeg powder, a fragrant essential
oil that is used for aromatherapy, as a perfume in
perfumery, in the manufacture of cigarettes and tobacco for pipes. Crusts
nuts are used to prepare the essence (butter), which
in Europe it is widely used for the preparation of sauces, cheeses, mustard.
Dangerous properties of nutmeg
Among the substances in nutmeg are elymycin, methylenedlock-siamphetamine
and other substances that have hallucinogenic and narcotic
effects. If you eat 3-4 fresh nutmeg kernels or similar
amount of dried nuts, then you can get the hardest food
poisoning, which may be accompanied by spasms, disorientation,
palpitations, euphoria, stupor, incoherent speech, narcotic
intoxication, hallucinations. In cases of consuming more
nutmeg, coma or death is possible. When there is
one of the symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
Nutmeg oil is contraindicated in pregnant women, with attacks
epilepsy and hypersensitivity to components.
The proposed video will tell you about the beneficial properties of nutmeg op.
