Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
The nutmeg tree, Myristica fragrans, is a Myristicaceae native to the Moluccas (Indonesia) and today it is cultivated in other tropical areas.
It is a dioicus tree with persistent, elliptical, alternate and fragrant leaves.
The first flowering takes place when the tree is six years old, and flowers are unisexual, actinomorphic and they appear in leaf axils.
Male flowers are grouped in groups of three or four but female are usually solitary.
The fruit is berry-like, round, yellow and it opens in the base when it is mature.
The seed inside has a ***, dark and shiny episperma, covered with a barred, fleshy, very aromatic red structure called aril or commercially mace.
Inside the episperma is the endosperm, known as nutmeg, which is very aromatic.
Nutmeg contains an essential oil (miristicina) that is a narcotic and convulsant if is it is taken in high doses and a highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine.
Frequently used in the past, today it is still used in the pharmaceutical industry, especially as a flavoring.
Also, it has been used as an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, carminative (Agua del Carmen ®) and as a local anti-inflammatory (Vicks ® Vaporub).
As a spice, the aril and the endosperm are used powdered or grated or in small quantities to flavor hot drinks, desserts, cakes and cookies. It is also an ingredient in savory sauces such as "béchamel".