How to grate nutmeg without a grater? Nutmeg is a seed spice that is known or famous for its unique and spicy fragrance or aroma. It has a lot of uses which includes it being used for baking and also used when making dessert.
Nutmeg has a lot of nutritional benefits and advantages one of which includes the fact that it contains antioxidants that are very powerful and these antioxidants help in protecting the cell from damage.
As much as it has a lot of health benefits it should not be consumed by pregnant women and nursing mothers and this is because nutmeg is known for inducing abortion.
How To Grate Nutmeg Without A Grater?
When it comes to breaking up a nutmeg seed into its powdered form it is best to use a grater.
But apart from using a grater, there are other means to grate a nutmeg without using a grater
And these include using a microplane, a Zester, a nutmeg rasp, or hand grinding the process for these methods is as follows:
1. Crating a nutmeg using a microplane:
A microplane can be used to grate a nutmeg finely, but before using the microplane for the nutmeg make sure it is very clean.
This method involves first, holding the nutmeg with your dominant hand
And using your other hand to hold the Microplane, then create a contact between the nutmeg and the Microplane
Place the nutmeg on the sharp side of the Microplane and slide it down the Microplane.
Repeat this process continuously until the whole nutmeg seed has been turned into fine nutmeg powder.
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2. Grating a nutmeg using a Zester:
This process is very similar to that of a Microplane.
This method involves first, holding the nutmeg with your dominant hand and using your other hand to hold the zester,
Then creating contact between the nutmeg and the zester by placing the nutmeg on the sharp side of the zester and sliding it down the Zester.
Repeat this process continuously until the whole nutmeg seed has been turned into fine nutmeg powder.
After this, you can check the back of the zester to remove any stuck nutmeg.
3. Grating a nutmeg using a nutmeg rasp:
The nutmeg rasp is a tool used for grating nutmegs and it consists of a metal
That might be cylindrical or half-cylindrical in nature with rasped holes that are perforated on the surface.
This method involves sliding the nutmeg over the sharp, rasped, and perforated holes located at the surface down and back upwards.
This process should be repeated until all the nutmeg seed has attained its powdered form.
4. Grating a nutmeg using the method of hand grinding:
This method involves the use of a grinding stone to ground the nutmeg and it is mostly practiced in Africa
It is believed to be the best and most effective method as it brings out all the aroma
And nutrients from the nutmeg, but it is the hardest method of all and very stressful.
This method involves first, cleaning the small grinding stone and the larger stone,
After this clean both the large stone and the small stone well with a clean cloth or paper towel,
Then place the nutmeg in the larger stone and smash first with the small stone
And continue using the small stone to smash and grind the nutmeg until its powdered form.
Do You Grind The Shell Of Nutmeg?
When it comes to making a decision on if one should grind the shell of the nutmeg alongside the nutmeg seed
Whether the shell should be taken out before grinding the seed depends greatly on the individual as both methods are not bad in themselves.
Some people think it is best to crack open the nutmeg breaking the Nutmeg shell before grinding
This is because they believe the nutmeg shell is only used to protect the nutmeg seed and keep it fresh
So, it is not edible and should be taken out while others think that the nutmeg shell should not be removed
This is because they believe that the shell is also very nutritional alongside the seed so they think it’s best to use them all.
In all, it is best to note that both methods are not bad.
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5 Freshly Grated Nutmeg Substitutes:
Here are the perfect alternatives for grated nutmeg;
1. Cloves:
Clove is a classic spice just like nutmeg, it adds warmth to dishes, soups, sauces, and desserts.
It can be used in its whole state or ground state as it has the fragrance or aroma of a flower bud.
Note that it is best to always strain out the cloves before serving as it does not exist in powdered form like the nutmeg.
2. Ginger:
Ginger is known to have a more exciting and pleasant flavor in foods than nutmeg and it can best use as a substitute for nutmeg in meals.
Another good fact about this is that if in a meal both nutmeg and ginger spice are needed,
It is possible to add more ginger spice neglecting the nutmeg as this can suffice for both
And ginger has a lot of health benefits too.
3. Cinnamon:
The cinnamon spice can also be used as an alternative or substitute for a meal where the spice, of nutmeg is needed.
The cinnamon spice is gotten from the cinnamon tree and this spice add warmth to meals and dessert just like the nutmeg.
4. Cardamom:
This is a very popular spice used as the main ingredient in some teas
And in the production of other spices that involve mixtures of other spices.
For example in the chai spice blend it is the main ingredient and it is also used in producing chai tea latte.
Note that it can be used as an alternative for nutmeg only when the nutmeg needed in a meal
If dessert is needed in small quantities, then the cardamom spice can suffice.
5. Garam masala:
This spice is mainly used by the Indian culture for their curries and other meals.
It is a mixture of different spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, peppercorn, coriander, and others.
It also adds warmth to meals like the nutmeg and can serve as a substitute spice for the nutmeg as it contains nutmeg in its makeup.
Is Nutmeg Shell Poisonous?
The shell of the nutmeg seed is not poisonous at all even though some people believe that the nutmeg shell is only used to protect the nutmeg seed and keep it fresh.
So it is not edible and should be taken out while others believe that the shell should not be removed
This is because the shell is also very nutritional alongside the seed so they think it’s best to use them all.
But it is best to note that the shell is not poisonous.
How To Remove Nutmeg Shell?
In order to remove the shell from the nutmeg a number of methods can be used,
One of which involves the use of a small hammer to break open the outer layer of the nutmeg which is the shell.
Another method used to remove the shell of nutmeg is by using the flat edge of a knife to press the nutmeg against a flat board and this cracks it open.
After any of the two above methods, peel off the shell after it is cracked open.
Grate Nutmeg Vs Ground Nutmeg:
There are a few differences between the grate Nutmeg and the ground nutmeg but both have the same uses and a similar in some ways.
One of the differences between grate Nutmeg and ground nutmeg is their different capacities
And abilities in flavor in that the grated nutmeg gives a strong and preserved taste while the ground nutmeg loses its strength in taste.
Another difference is that ground nutmeg is already pre-grounded into a fine powder ready for use anytime
While the grated nutmeg is not pre grounded but they are to be grated for use when needed.
Lastly, when it comes to its usage for dishes the main ingredient is nutmeg it is best to use grate Nutmeg as it is better than the ground nutmeg
This is because the grated Nutmeg gives off a very pleasant flavor.
Where To Buy Grated Nutmeg?
Note that you can also get the grated nutmeg online from Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, or Selefina Spices.
Do You Put Nutmeg Before Or After Cooking?
If nutmeg should be added before cooking a meal or after cooking a meal is dependent on the individual.
Using it also depends on the kind of dish or meal the nutmeg is to be used on
This is because some meals require nutmeg to be added during the cooking in order to reduce the fragrance a bit
And make it less pronounced while some meals require that the nutmeg be added after cooking in order to retain its freshness and pleasant flavor or fragrance.
Note that adding nutmeg while cooking especially hot meals diminishes its taste and also reduces to a great extent its fragrance and flavor
Adding nutmeg after cooking is said to be the best as it retains both the taste, fragrance, and flavor of the nutmeg.
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Conclusion
The nutmeg spice is very essential for most meals, desserts, and soups
As it adds flavor, taste, and fragrance to the food and it also adds warmth to the meal.
