Whole Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a warming spice, native to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. In the early years of its discovery, nutmeg was often used medicinally, but began to increase in popularity for its use in cuisine in the fifteenth century. It is known in the US for its contribution to desserts like pumpkin pie and eggnog, but it is also a key flavor component in the cuisines of the Caribbean, Indonesia, the Middle East and North Africa. Nutmeg is best freshly ground, which you can do at home with a plane zester.