Nutmeg, Uses : Use in Cooking

BOTANICAL NAME: MYRISTICA FRAGRANS
FAMILY NAME: N.O. MYRISTICACEAE
Nutmeg is a bushy, evergreen and aromatic tree with oblong leaves and pale yellow flowers, followed by round fleshy fruits, containing a brown seed. The parts that are used are the dried and de-husked seeds, arils, and oil are used.
High quality or sound whole nutmegs are traded in grades which refer to their size in numbers of nutmegs per pound: 80s, 110s and 130s (110 to 287 nuts per kg), or 'ABCD' which is an assortment of various sizes. Nutmeg fruits are available throughout the year but the peak period of harvest is from June to August.
In India nutmeg is cultivated mainly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is used to flavour many kinds of baked goods, confections, puddings, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and such beverages as eggnog. The spices in their ground form are mainly used in the food processing industry, principally in the seasoning of meat products; they are also used in soups, sauces, baked goods and spice mixes.
Nutmeg is also used in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries.