How to distinguish nutmeg freshness?
Does nutmeg come with a good-before date? How long can nutmeg stay good? Is there a way to 'see' (observe) how old the nutmeg is?
I'm asking because I bought a bag of nutmeg seeds and one was moldy. Maybe just bad luck, but it made me wondering about the freshness of the rest, and how that must affect the flavor in a negative way.
According to the Wikipedia, freshly ground nutmeg has a psychoactive substance, but I guess that must be from fresh nutmeg. So, I'm looking for a way to distinguish between potential poisonous nutmeg and stale nutmeg.
Best Answer
Simple: grate it.
If you grate the nutmeg using a microplane, it should have a strong, distinctive odor you can smell from a couple feet away. If it doesn't, it's lost its flavor, throw it away and buy new.
It's fairly likely you're going to end up replacing it. I've never seen nutmegs get moldy before, and I live somewhere with 80% humidity. It would have to be stored in some very poor conditions to mold.
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Quick Answer about "How to distinguish nutmeg freshness?"
So if you want to check the quality of whole nutmeg, start by grating a bit. Now rub a small amount between your fingers, and taste and smell it. If the flavor or smell is weak or hardly noticeable, start a new package. Otherwise, it's good enough to use and flavor your dishes.How can you tell if nutmeg is fresh?
How can you tell if whole nutmeg is still good? To test whether whole nutmeg is still potent enough to be effective: Rub or crush a small amount in your hand, then taste and smell it - if the aroma is weak and the flavor is not obvious, the whole nutmeg should be replaced.How do you pick fresh nutmeg?
Whole nutmeg should be hard and feel heavy for its size. It should have a rough surface, but without any tiny holes, which are a sign of insect damage. Whole nutmeg will keep in a cool, dark place for several months. Ground nutmeg loses its flavor quickly, so buy it in small quantities.Is it OK to use expired nutmeg?
Nutmeg doesn't go bad easily. So, in general, it is safe to consume nutmeg even past its expiry date. But, if you've been using very old nutmeg in your recipes, that might be adding almost zero flavor to your dish.How long does fresh nutmeg last?
Storage. Store ground nutmeg in an air-tight container away from heat, light, and moisture. When stored properly, ground nutmeg will retain its freshness for approximately six months. Whole nutmeg will stay fresh indefinitely, but should always be stored away from heat and moisture.Tool Time: Grating Fresh Nutmeg
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