10 Unique Facts About Nutmeg You Should Know!

Pala is an herb that comes from the pala tree (Myristica Fragrans). Unique facts about pala are very diverse, some are about its properties, some others are about other general things related to this herb. Quoted from various sources, here are unique facts about pala that you should know!

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1. Pala is one of the oldest spices. The foodreference.com page mentions pala as one of the oldest spices. Pala has been known since more than 1000 years ago. Almost as old as pala, there are peppers and cloves.
2. Pala is not a nut. Although pala seeds are similar to nuts, pala is actually not a nut and the tree is not related to other types of nuts. Pala is more suitable to be called a dried seed.
3. Pala as a routine. In ancient times pala was very rare. The foodprint.org page explains that ancient Europeans used to carry pala with them wherever they went. They usually grind pala and mix them into the food they eat.
4. Whole pala can last a very long time. This applies if whole pala is stored in an airtight and clean place. However, pala powder will lose its aroma and taste more quickly even if it is stored properly.
5. Bunga pala (mace) is more expensive. Usually fuli pala or bunga pala (mace) is more expensive than pala itself. Because every time, when harvesting, the yield of mace is only a tenth of that of pala seeds.
6. Monopoly of pala by VOC. To maintain a monopoly on the pala trade, the VOC always kept the location of the Banda Islands a secret from other traders.
7. The best effect of pala is when used for sweet or savory dishes.
8. Consuming high concentrations of pala can cause hallucinations. The healthline page explains that consuming nutmeg in large quantities and in a short time is not recommended. In pala, there is a substance called myristicin which is naturally present in various plants that are commonly used for essential oils. Compared to other spices, the myristicin content in pala is a bit more. The effect of too much myristicin can affect the nervous system which leads to hallucinations, nausea, dizziness. However, about 50% of reports of pala poisoning are caused by the sufferer’s intentional desire to try hallucinatory sensations due to pala. Simply put, don’t eat two or more tablespoons of nutmeg at the same time.
9. Not thrown away, the flesh of nutmeg is often processed into jam, sweets or even candy.
   

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10. Pala was once more valuable than New York City. Mentioned on the pages of Winconsin’s Magazine for the Life Sciences, back in the 1600s, pala was so needed that European traders could raise prices up to 6000%. At that time the VOC controlled pala in almost all the islands in the Banda Islands, except for Run Island which was still controlled by the British. To control the pala trade, the Dutch government at that time exchanged New Amsterdam or Manhattan Island with Run Island.

Those are ten facts about pala. Some are related to its contents, there are also those who discuss the effects of consuming pala, to unique facts about the history of pala in the world.