NUTMEG
NUTMEG
NUTMEG
MYRISTICA FRAGRANS
NUTMEG AS A SPICE…….
Taxonomy
Family - Myristicaceae
Species -Myristica Fragrans
Origin: Molluccas in Eastern Indonisia
Introduced to Sri Lanka: In early 19th centaury.
Plant: 15 – 20m in height, ever green plant, grown in
wet zone with the elevation about 600m.
peak harvest comes after 20 years of age.
Flowers: Generally unisexual.
bisexual flowers of varying sexual composition can
also be found.
1 - Woody shell
2 - Pericarp
3 - Kernel
4 - Aril (mace)
Specification :
Volatile
oil content (Min): 30 % (v/w)
Residual solvent (max): 25ppm
GRADES – As per the Department of Export
Agriculture
Number III
Pale brown, immature seeds.
STANDARD SRI LANKAN SPECIFICATION
# I – With shell # II – Without
shell
Grade I FAQ BWP Grade FAQ BWP
II
Physical
Moisture % (max) – 12 %
Extraneous matter (max) – 1 %
Microbiological
TPC cfu/g (max) = 105
E.coli = Nill