Nutmeg

Myristica argentea, M. fragrans

spice

The seed of a tropical tree from the Banda Islands, in the Moluccas, wrapped in a membrane, mace, which is another spice; grated sparingly, warm and woody. The Venetians paid dearly for it without ever knowing where it came from. Its scent comes from eugenol.

Origin

Banda Islands (Indonesia)

Season (United States)

imported · all year round

Preparation

A pinch is enough, and it is not a matter of taste: from two whole nuts on, myristicin causes serious effects. It is the spice in this catalog where dose matters most.

Molecules

EugenolIn small amounts, not counted Ellagitannins

Did you know?

At the Treaty of Breda, in 1667, the English kept Manhattan and the Dutch kept Run, a tiny islet covered in nutmeg trees.