Nutmeg
Nutmeg
Common name: Nutmeg
Scientific name: Myristica fragrans Houtt.
Family Name: MYRISTICACEAE
Other names: Chan Ban (North, Niao - North), Yo Dou Kou Rou Dou Kou (Mandarin), Nek Tao Kou (Chaozhou China), Pala (Malaysia), etc.
Botanical characteristics :
Is native to the Maluku Islands. Indonesia is a medium to large evergreen shrub with a height of 5-18 meters, the bark is smooth and blackish gray. The soft wood is scented with essential oils. The nutmeg can grow in almost any soil. But the soil suitable for growing is sandy loam with high organic matter. It grows well in the tropics, especially in the eastern and southern parts of Thailand. It can be raised in an area with an altitude of about 900 meters above sea level and is popular to propagate by seeding method.
Nowadays it is found that it is commonly grown in the tropics. In Thailand, it can be found in the south.
Trunk: about 1-3 meters in height, bark is black, root is sweet, has two ears, clear latex, propagated by means of graft and cuttings. It grows well in moist soil with sunlight. Organizes drought tolerance well, is a plant that naturally grows in plain forests or mixed forests.
Leaves: a single leaf alternately arranged Characteristics of the leaves are oval or elliptical, round, the tip of the leaf is pointed, the base of the leaf is smooth. The leaves are about 4-5 cm wide and 10-15 cm long. The fleshy leaves are smooth, glossy and light greenish yellow. The abdomen is smooth and light green. The petiole is about 6-12 mm long.
Flower: Flowering in a bouquet of 2-3 flowers or a single flower. Which will leave in the axillary leaves The flowers are light yellow. Connected petals The flower is an inverted master figure. The petals are separated into 4 points. The flowers are separated from each gender. Male inflorescences about 2.5-5 cm long, the flowers are yellowish white. The shape is oval, round, oval, about 6 mm long. One data stated The male flowers will form as a group while the female flowers will form a single flower. And the female flowers are larger than the male flowers. Only by the females that are of economic importance The male plants are planted for pollination with the female only. Usually the male and female plants are grown in a ratio of 1: 10 only.
Fruit: The result is fresh, rather juicy. The nature of the fruit is quite round. The shape is similar to a pear, about 3.5-5 cm long, the peel is smooth, yellow, light yellow or light red. When the mature fruit split into two halves. Within the fruit are round seeds, 2-3 cm long, about 3 cm in diameter. The seeds are brown. There is 1 seed and hard shell per fruit.
Seeds: Seeds are commonly referred to as "Nutmeg", and the seeds have a red-orange, fragrant seed coat or overgrowth, which we refer to as "sandalwood".
With a characteristic red streak Reticular It is a thin sheet with several points covering the seed. It will be tightly attached to the seed. When taken and separated from the seed The freshly separated placenta is bright red and when dried, the color of the placenta turns pale yellow or fleshy. Smooth and brittle skin Approximately 3-5 cm. long, 1-3 cm. wide. And about 0.5-1 cm thick, fragrant, bitter, astringent and spicy.
Benefits:
Nutmeg (seed) and sandalwood (placenta) have a similar flavor and aroma. It can be used as a spice to help flavor food. Especially the flowers are thick. Can be used as both a spice and a seasoning. Gives pangolins a taste that is softer than the seeds. Arabian seeds are often added to goat or lamb dishes. In Europe, they use it for both savory and sweet food. The Dutch put it in maspotato, stew, cauliflower, cabbage, fruit, pudding, etc. Italians put it in mixed vegetables, veal sausage, and pasta. For typical ethnic foods of many nations that contain both nutmeg and sandalwood, there are fruit cakes, honey cakes, fruit punches, deserts, meat pies, eggs and cheese dishes. The nutmeg seeds are ground into powder. It will be used to sprinkle on top to give a nice aroma to bread, butter pudding, hot chocolate, etc. In the southern part of our country, we use fresh meat as a snack, along with sweet fish sauce or salt chili. It has a very spicy and pungent taste for those who have never eaten. But when familiar with the taste.
2. Nutmeg oil or myristica oil, obtained by steam distillation of nutmeg. Can be used for flavoring detergents, detergents, soaps, perfumes, creams and skin lotions. Or extract the seeds into essential oils Used as an inhaler Use for sniffing for cold symptoms Cure dizziness, dizziness, dizziness.
3. Nutmeg and Nutmeg Can be used in cooking It is mixed with bread, butter, ham, sausage, bacon, various stewed meat, massaman curry, instant chili paste. Or used in meat products To help in the preservation of food. The pulp of nutmeg can be used in many different ways. But not yet known or widely known Because there is not much processing Moreover, the taste is still not as good as it should be. The products made from the pulp of nutmeg are found mostly in Indonesia. For the seeds. Villagers take the dried seeds and scrape the skin off. Before using it, peel off the bark. Then take the meat in the seeds to break them apart, roast them to smell, then powder them into a curry powder. Either in roasted chicken, roasted pork, beef, or put in curry, rice, chicken, etc.
4. Sandalwood is a fruit that has a strange taste that is sweet and hot and can be dried and used to make crispy moon cakes. Or connected with sugar, it will have a sweet and appetizing aroma. The seed coat can be consumed as well. By making it as Chan fluff Nutmeg, Pickled Nutmeg, Compote, Nutmeg, Yee Meat, Dried Nutmeg, Nutmeg, etc.
5. Old fruit meat is commonly processed into snacks. It has a fresh, sweet, spicy taste, naturally and helps expel the wind and cure twists.
6. Wood smells good. Can be used to make Thai aromatic drinks or to make various incense, some of which are used to make fine furniture. Because it provides excellent protection against ants and termites.
7. Nowadays, nutmeg has been processed into canned food, candy, candies, various fragrances, making cosmetics, soap, shampoo, liquor, etc., which America is used in the industry as the number one in the world.
8. Nutmeg and nutmeg oil have effects to kill larvae and insect larvae.