Jathikai / Nutmeg Powder

Jathikai / Nutmeg Powder

Botanical Name       :  Myristica Fragrans
English Name          :  Nutmeg
Tamil Name              :  ஜாதிக்காய், காக்காய் மூஞ்சி / Jathikai.

About Jathikai (Nutmeg):-

        This spice tree is a large evergreen plant that thrives well under tropical climates. A fully-grown tree may reach about 50-60 feet in height and is the source of nutmeg and mace, two invaluable spices. The nutmeg fruit, indeed, is a drupe about the size of an apricot which up on ripening splits-up to reveal single, centrally situated oval shaped hard kernel popular as "nutmeg spice. " This seed kernel is closely enwrapped by crimson-red, lacy or thread like arils known as "mace. " Both spices feature a similar warm, sweet aromatic flavor. Nutmeg tree yields up to three times in a season. Once harvested from the tree, its outer coat or husk is removed and discarded. Just underneath the tough husk is the golden-brown color aril, known as "mace, " which firmly enveloping around the nutmeg kernel. Mace is gently peeled-off from its kernel surface, flattened into strips, dried, and sold either as whole (blades) or finely ground powder. Nutmeg kernel is then dried under the sun for several days to weeks. At larger commercial set-ups, this process is accomplished rather more rapidly over a hot drier machine until the whole nutmeg rattles inside the shell. Its shell is then cu-open and a single, shriveled nutmeg kernel is then taken out. Finally, nuts are dipped in lime-water in order to prevent insect infestation and seed germination.