What Does Nutmeg Taste Like? (With Recipes)

Nutmeg is a popular warming spice, often associated with the fall months and holiday season. But what does nutmeg taste like? And how can we cook with this tasty spice?

Let's talk about the flavor of nutmeg and how we can use it to make tasty recipes!

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dietetic advice in any way.

What is Nutmeg?

Nutmeg is a spice made from the seeds of the fruit of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans). The tree is native to the Spice Islands of Indonesia and is mainly cultivated there and in the West Indies (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

How Do You Purchase Nutmeg?

Nutmeg is often sold as the whole seed, which looks like a large light brown nut. It is possible to purchase ground nutmeg, but it doesn't have the same flavor.

Instead, you can simply use a small grater to grate your nutmeg seed to add powder to your dishes.

Storage

Best practices for the storage of nutmeg depend upon how you purchase it. In their overview of nutmeg, BBC Good Food suggests that ground nutmeg lasts only around a week, whereas whole nutmegs can keep for many months.

Health Benefits of Nutmeg

Nutmeg is so popular around the holiday season, but is it good for us as well as being delicious?

In their overview of the health benefits of nutmeg, Healthline describes that this seed is 'rich in antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, essential oils, and plant pigments, all of which may help prevent cellular damage and may protect against chronic diseases'.

Nutmeg mustn't be taken in large quantities due to particular compounds that can cause serious side-effects (Healthline).

For those looking to make low histamine recipes, you may like to know that nutmeg scores 1 on the SIGHI list, with a note 'small amounts are well tolerated'.

What Does Nutmeg Taste Like?

Nutmeg has a delicious warming, slightly sweet, nutty taste. Some people describe it as having a peppery or citrus note. It's a very popular spice around the fall months and holiday season!

You may also like to check out my post on the taste of cardamom if you like your spices!

How Can We Use Nutmeg in Cooking?

Nutmeg can be used in both sweet and savory cooking and baking and is quite versatile!

Add to Baked Goods

Adding a pinch of nutmeg to baked goods such as cookies, muffins, breads or cakes will give a lovely hint of spice.

Add to Mashed Potatoes

Nutmeg is a traditional spice to add to your mashed potatoes for a comfort food side dish! It's also delicious on sweet potatoes and pumpkin.

Make Nutmeg Milk

A pinch of nutmeg can be added to milk and a sweetener to make a delicious caffeine free nutmeg milk to enjoy as a mid-afternoon treat.

Make a Pumpkin Spice Blend

If you would like to make your own pumpkin spice blend, simply combine nutmeg with cinnamon, ground ginger and optionally, cloves.

You can use this blend to make a tasty batch of pumpkin spice cookies for fall!

Add to Oatmeal and Breakfast Recipes

A pinch of nutmeg is delicious when sprinkled over oatmeal in the morning, or perhaps in a chia pudding or in overnight oats.

Use in Savory Sauces

A pinch of nutmeg is delicious in savory sauces, such as the homemade cheese sauce by Prairie Homestead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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