Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a spice with a warm, strong aromatic smell and taste. Verstegen retrieves their herbs and spices from their original areas. That is why Verstegen nutmeg comes from Banda. The nutmeg tree originally grows on the Moluccas where it can grow up to 15 meters high. The tree gives its first fruits after seven years and can be harvested up to three times a year. In 2018, Verstegen started a pilot to make the nutmeg chain the first spice with blockchain technology to show transparency from farmer to consumer.

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Characteristics of nutmeg

Nutmeg is not a nut, but the core of an ochre-yellow apricot-like fruit. It’s wrapped in a shell called the aril. We know the aril as mace, which is also used as a spice in the kitchen.

A nutmeg is oval in shape and about 2.5 cm long. You can recognize the nutmeg by its smooth surface with ribs. Nutmeg is brown-grey in colour and whitewashed afterwards. Ground nutmeg can be recognized by its orange-brown colour.

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A transparent chain

Thanks to blockchain technology, one QR scan will show you where your nutmeg comes from. You can see who are the farmers behind your nutmeg, whether price agreements with farmers have been kept and whether the nutmeg is of the best quality, as promised. Buy the nutmeg in the supermarket and claim it via the QR code. This will complete the chain with the final link, from farm to fork!

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Did you know that

Small dosages of the essential oils of nutmeg contain exceptional medicinal properties?

Did you know that

Excess nutmeg use can cause hallucinations?

Did you know that

Nutmeg combats the aging of the body and repairs damaged cells?

Nutmeg in dishes

Due to its strongly aromatic, musky smell and taste, this spice goes well with traditional dishes. Nutmeg is a very versatile spice and has great scope for experimenting. Even in small quantities it adds flavour to all kinds of dishes and drinks!

In the Netherlands there is a tradition of adding nutmeg to vegetables such as cauliflower and green beans. They will get just that extra bit of spice. Nutmeg also goes well with minced meat and sausages. Take care: don’t use too much as nutmeg can be very dominant and give an overkill of taste!

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