Cole & Mason Nutmeg Grinder

Product Information

Another positive is that it is one of the easiest to clean blenders that we’ve used. The removable cup can be taken and rinsed out. While you’re waiting for it to dry, there is another cup that comes with it that can be used. A handheld rasp-style nutmeg grater might not be the most elegant tool a chef owns, but in fact it may well be the best possible device for producing ground nutmeg. These simple graters put complete control of the process into the cook's hands, with a person able to regulate the coarseness of the grinds based on pressure applied and to stop grinding the seed precisely as soon as he or she has produced enough powdered nutmeg. On the other hand, such grater also almost fully preclude the complete use of any seed, as a person risks cutting their fingers on the rasps once the seed has grown too small. And while excellent for controlling minute amounts of grated nutmeg, such a tool is also much less efficient than other more mechanically-inclined options when you have large quantities of ground nutmeg to produce. When you consider the extra flavour offered by freshly ground nutmeg and the fact that whole nutmeg lasts for years, a grinder offers an economical alternative to buying ground nutmeg. Key considerations Spice mill: Like the pestle and mortar, a spice mill is manual. These have a similar design to a pepper mill in that the device is hand-cranked and the ground spices come out of the bottom. They’re a great option if you’re looking to grind small amounts. Spice mills are not suitable for wet ingredients.

Nutmeg is up there with cinnamon and star anise as one of the most difficult seasonings to process, but it doesn't have to be. Because a nutmeg seed is relatively easy to grasp, you can get away with using the Microplane 46016 if you just need small amounts, or the especially versatile Microplane Classic Zester for larger batches. In fact, we'd recommend that classic Microplane be a part of every kitchen, both at home and at work, because it's a remarkably useful tool in a lot of settings.

Key considerations

If there is only one spice that adds a subtlety, warmth, and floral fragrance, without overpowering or sacrificing the character of sweet and savoury dishes, it is nutmeg. Used in traditional Asian cuisine, as well as being deep-rooted in many classic Italian and French dishes, this Indonesian spice boasts traces of smoked hazelnut to bring nutty nuances to your food. What does a nutmeg grinder offer that a store-bought bottle of ground nutmeg doesn’t? A ton of flavour. Freshly ground nutmeg maintains the natural oils that give the spice its distinctive flavour, so less of it is required. The more time that passes after grinding the nutmeg, the more flavour is lost. A grater or grinder is the best way to get that fresh nutmeg flavour when you want it. Manual vs. electric

Manual: These classic grinders and graters require a bit of elbow grease to use. Whether you operate it with a crank, as with a grinder, or by rubbing a whole nutmeg against a grater, this is an easy way to get the same fresh flavour offered by using an electric grinder.

As nutmeg can have generally undesired side effects when consumed in too great a dose, including indigestion, headache, and even induction of hallucinatory and/or otherwise psychoactive episodes, it is best kept out of reach of children and consumed only in moderation. The Spicy History of Nutmeg Grinders: You operate a grinder by twisting either a handle or the two parts of the grinder itself. Some grinders collect the nutmeg in a compartment, while others dispense the nutmeg from the bottom of the grinder, like a pepper grinder. If you want an easy way to sprinkle a little nutmeg on a drink or dessert, look for the latter type.

If you wish to produce a good deal of greater nutmeg and you also value the aesthetics associated with gourmet food preparation, consider a rotary-style nutmeg mill. These tools place a nutmeg seed (or several) in a closed chamber topped by a hand-turned crank usually connected to a group of claws that hold the seed in place and apply downward pressure. When operated, the rotating twists the seed against a series of rasps or teeth, shaving bits of nutmeg with ease. As mentioned above, nutmeg is native to a number of Indian Ocean islands known, fittingly enough as, the Spice Islands. It was one of many prized and rare spices that were wildly popular in the west during the Middle Ages and Renaissance -- cinnamon, pepper, and cloves were also highly sought after -- both for its culinary uses and for its perceived medicinal characteristics. (It was thought for many centuries that nutmeg and certain other spices could help to prevent infection with the bubonic plague.)It doesn’t grind down to the finest of powders – this was the case when I used poppy seeds. However, it is really good overall. Available in acrylic, stainless steel or stained wood, the Goa, Daman and Madras nutmeg mills will delight the most refined food experts and palates with their slender lines, minimalist design and technical features. Featuring a storage chamber that can hold about three nutmegs, their ease of use disguises a highly sophisticated grinding mechanism. The acrylic Tidore nutmeg grinder is no different in its sophistication but its whimsical shape has been inspired by the curves of a nutmeg and is equipped with a storage chamber that can hold seven to eight nutmegs.