The Myristica fragrans is an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas (or Spice Islands) of Indonesia. Two spices are derived from the fruit of the tree: Nutmeg and Mace.
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| Nutmeg fruit By Joe Ravi, Wikipedia |
Until the mid-19th century, the Banda Islands were the world's only source of nutmeg.
In 1621 Japanese mercenaries hired by the Dutch were landed on Bandaneira Island with the intention of enforcing Dutch monopoly over the Banda’s spice trade. Of the 12,000-15,000 residents all but 1,000 were killed or forced to leave the island as the Dutch created a nutmeg monopoly.
The British used to celebrate Twelfth Night with a drink called Lamb's Wool made from roasted apples, sugar and nutmeg in beer.
Shakespeare gives a recipe for pies in A Winter's Tale including mace, nutmeg, ginger, prunes, raisins and saffron to color it.
The Caribbean island of Grenada has produced nutmeg since 1843 when a British ship returning from the East Indies left a few nutmeg trees there on its way home. Today, Grenada produces more than 20 per cent of the world's nutmeg. Only Indonesia produces more.
Grenada is the only country that depicts a clove of nutmeg on its flag.
Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously.
Nutmeg when eaten in large amounts can be hallucinogenic.
Source Daily Express
In 1621 Japanese mercenaries hired by the Dutch were landed on Bandaneira Island with the intention of enforcing Dutch monopoly over the Banda’s spice trade. Of the 12,000-15,000 residents all but 1,000 were killed or forced to leave the island as the Dutch created a nutmeg monopoly.
The British used to celebrate Twelfth Night with a drink called Lamb's Wool made from roasted apples, sugar and nutmeg in beer.
Shakespeare gives a recipe for pies in A Winter's Tale including mace, nutmeg, ginger, prunes, raisins and saffron to color it.
The Caribbean island of Grenada has produced nutmeg since 1843 when a British ship returning from the East Indies left a few nutmeg trees there on its way home. Today, Grenada produces more than 20 per cent of the world's nutmeg. Only Indonesia produces more.
Grenada is the only country that depicts a clove of nutmeg on its flag.
Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously.
Nutmeg when eaten in large amounts can be hallucinogenic.
Source Daily Express
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