Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a spice with a warm, strongly aromatic aroma and flavor. Verstegen sources its herbs and spices from their origins. Verstegen's nutmeg comes from the Indonesian island of Sangihe. The nutmeg tree originates in the Moluccas, where it can grow up to 15 meters tall. The tree produces its first fruit after seven years and can be harvested up to three times a year. In 2018, Verstegen launched a pilot program to make the nutmeg supply chain transparent, from farmer to consumer, as the first spice using blockchain technology.
Characteristics of nutmeg
Nutmeg isn't a nut, but the kernel of an ochre-yellow apricot-like fruit. This is encased in a seed coat called the aril. We know the aril as mace, which is also used as a spice in cooking.
A nutmeg is oval and about 2.5 cm long. You can recognize a nutmeg by its smooth, ridged surface. It is brownish-gray in color and has a whitewashed finish. Ground nutmeg is recognizable by its orange-brown color.
A transparent chain
Thanks to blockchain technology, you can now see where your nutmeg comes from with a single QR scan on the packaging. You can see, for example, who the farmers behind your nutmeg are and whether price agreements with farmers have been honored.
Nutmeg in the kitchen
With its strong, musky aroma and flavor, this spice is a perfect addition to traditional dishes. Nutmeg is a very versatile spice, so you can experiment with it. Even small amounts add flavor to all sorts of dishes and drinks!
In the Netherlands, we're familiar with using nutmeg on vegetables like cauliflower and green beans. It gives them that extra bit of spice. It also goes well with ground meat and sausages. A small side note: don't use too much, as nutmeg can be very overpowering and overwhelm the flavor!
