From CV. Koma Jaya, Spices, Coffee Bean Exporter present the crops:

Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans)

Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans) is located in the small island group of the Banda Islands, province Maluku in the Eastern Part of Indonesia, also known under the name “Spice Islands”.

The first harvest of nutmeg trees takes place seven to nine years after planting, and the trees reach full production after twenty years with a total approximate land area of 8,150 hectares, harvest on January – December throughout the year.

Nutmeg are used in :

  1. It is used to flavour many kinds of baked foods, for flavouring many dishes, usually in ground or grated form in many spicy soups.
  2. Is used in many sweet and in recipes for other winter squashes, the pericarp (fruit covering) is used to make jam, or is finely sliced and crystallised to make a fragrant candy.
  3. Is often used in drinks, typically it is a sprinkle on the top of the drink, is also blended or boiled to make iced nutmeg juice.
  4. Nutmeg butter is obtained from the nut by expression can be mixed with other fats like cottonseed oil or palm oil, and has applications as an industrial lubricant.
  5. The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of ground nutmeg, is used widely in the perfumery, pharmaceutical industries and in the cosmetic.

The oil is colourless or light yellow, smells and tastes of nutmeg.

Regular consumption is supposed to strengthen the digestive system, have an anti-bacterial effect, improve mental performance and calm the nerves, even today a glass of hot milk with nutmeg is a good home remedy for insomnia.

Consumption of excessive amounts of nutmeg can result in myristicin poisoning. Nutmeg is known to have been a prized and costly spice in European medieval cuisine as a flavouring, medicinal, and preservative agent.

Storage :

  1. Unlike powdered or grated nutmeg, a whole nutmeg seed stays good for years if stored correctly.
  2. Keep whole nutmeg seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight. A dark pantry or drawer is preferable to a spice rack located on the kitchen counter or windowsill.
  3. It’s best not to store grated nutmeg at all. If you do have leftover freshly grated nutmeg, put it in an airtight container, store it far from heat, light or moisture and use it as soon as possible.
  4. Do not attempt to store grated nutmeg in the freezer.

Nutmeg, ground, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk – unopened or opened : 3-4 years