Where does nutmeg grow?

Nutmeg grows best on tropical humid regions with fertile sandy soils.

Where does nutmeg come from?

Nutmeg comes from the spice islands or the Moluccas of Indonesia.

How much nutmeg can kill you?

According to certain studies, even 2 teaspoons (approximately 10 grams) of nutmeg may cause toxicity to some people. 50 grams or more can cause even worse conditions.

What is the substitute for nutmeg?

The best substitute for nutmeg is allspice which is made by grinding the berries of Pimenta dioica trees.

'Nutmeg' a two in one spice-Sep. 25, 2023

Nutmeg, scientifically known as ‘Myristica fragrans’, is a spice obtained from the seeds of the fruits produced by the trees belonging to ‘Myristicaceae’ family.

The name nutmeg comes from the Latin word ‘nux muscats’, which means ‘musky nut’. The spice is mainly used for cooking curries and dishes. It also has certain medicinal properties and has worldwide demand.

Nutmeg is believed to have originated from the spice islands in Indonesia. And it is reportedly in use for more than the past 3500 years. Nutmeg and its uses were discovered by the Portuguese in 1512 and was widely propagated by the Dutch.

Nutmeg trees thrive in tropical, humid regions with sandy soil rich in organic materials. The trees grow up to 20-60 feet in height and begin to bear fruits after 5-8 years of planting and continue yielding for 30-70 years. Normally the harvest season is from June-August and the indication that the fruits are fully grown and ready for harvest is when their husks get cracked and the seeds inside are visible.

The spice, nutmeg is the single seed, protected by a shiny brown coloured shell, covered with mace- red coloured membranes called aril- of the nutmeg fruit. Both the seed, the nutmeg and the mace are used as spices that have different flavours and usages. The outer fleshy husk, normally, greenish-yellow in colour is also edible which is used to make pickles, snacks etc.

Nutmeg contains Carbohydrates, Fibers, Fat, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Calcium etc. And the oil extracted from nutmegs is used in perfumes and pharmaceutical products.

The largest producer of nutmeg is Indonesia who makes up nearly 50% of the global production. The other main producers are Guatemala, India, Grenada, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Indonesia is the top exporter of nutmeg in the world followed by India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Grenada and Malaysia. And the main importers are Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, Bangladesh and pakistan.

In India, Kerala is the largest producer of nutmeg, followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Some of the main trading markets of nutmeg in India:

Kerala(Angamaly, Kaladi,Thrissur)
Tamil Nadu(Tirunelveli,Kanyakumari)

Names of nutmeg in different Indian languages:

Hindi Jaayaphal

Tamil Jathikkay

Malayalam Jathikka

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does nutmeg grow?

Nutmeg grows best on tropical humid regions with fertile sandy soils.
Where does nutmeg come from?

Nutmeg comes from the spice islands or the Moluccas of Indonesia.
How much nutmeg can kill you?

According to certain studies, even 2 teaspoons (approximately 10 grams) of nutmeg may cause toxicity to some people. 50 grams or more can cause even worse conditions.
What is the substitute for nutmeg?

The best substitute for nutmeg is allspice which is made by grinding the berries of Pimenta dioica trees.

Rebinson P.L.

Rebinson P.L. (@ebinso) is a self-published author, content marketing strategist, copywriter and editor who has been writing blogs, articles and advertising copies for various firms since completing his master's in English literature. He's dedicated to helping and guiding businesses of all sizes to achieve their desired reach and popularity.