It’s the underrated flavour booster in your morning latte and the often forgotten spice that makes a world of difference in your porridge, but this humble addition can offer so much more than just a lovely taste.
Used in sweet and sour dishes for centuries, the woody, nutty flavours of nutmeg have long been used in cooking and baking – usually alongside its trusty sidekick, cinnamon, to offer light spicy flavours and aromas. The simple spice is packed full of essential oils which are responsible for that signature sweet flavour. The high oil content ensures the flavour is easily retained in all forms, so just a sprinkle of ground nutmeg can give a real kick to your cooking.
But aside from tasting delicious, nutmeg has so much more to offer. As well as being purse-friendly at around £1 in most supermarkets and having the ability to transform mealtimes with a simple sprinkling, nutmeg also boosts incredible health and beauty benefits, too.
Cooking with nutmeg dates as far back as the fourth century, when it featured heavily in Asian cuisine, and in the 18th century, it was considered a medical cure-all, which gave way to a whole host of forgeries.
The most notorious examples were in Connecticut, where devious peddlers would whittle wood into nutmeg shapes and pass them off as the real thing. Health benefits include longer and better quality sleep, improved mood and better dental health from fresher breath to disease-battling properties.
It’s also a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against the signs of aging and serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. Adding this to your cooking will also give the whole family a subtle multivitamin boost. Nutmeg contains vitamins A, C and E, plus manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and iron.
Surprisingly, the small spice is also rich in fibre which helps keep the digestive system healthy and prevent blood sugar from spiking – the perfect addition to your next batch of spiced buns.
Although perfectly safe in small amounts, in large quantities, nutmeg can induce hallucinations. It is highly toxic and can even be fatal. Even as little as two teaspoons or five grams can cause some symptoms of toxicity.
Delicious new ways to find inspiration with nutmeg include sprinkling over root vegetables for roasting, a dusting over homemade cheesy macaroni and stirred into a warming vegetable soup.
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