The nutmeg fruit or buah pala is synonymous with the local community here.
Nutmeg, the fruit of a large evergreen tree, known by its scientific name myristica fragrans, is a useful plant.
According to 73-year-old Chang Kun Mim whose forefathers migrated to Penang in 1953, his family has been running a nutmeg business for four generations.
Chang, a nutmeg producer and plantation owner, said the beauty of the nutmeg was that the plant required little maintenance.
1. Nutmeg cultivation is easy as pests will not attack the fruit which has a bitter taste.
2. The tree thrives in our tropical climate and has two harvesting seasons a year
3. The fruits are cultivated from seedlings and are ready to be harvested in five years.
4. Each tree can produce between 5kg and 6kg of fruits,” he said.
5. He added that about 50 and 100 nutmeg trees could be planted on a four-acre land with the harvesting seasons around March and September.
6. He also produced several other products besides pickled nutmeg, jam and candy.
7. The fruit peel could be dried for a week and made into tea.
8. Nutmeg seed oil could be derived after steaming the seeds to be used as a massage oil.
9. Nutmeg stems and leaves are dried under the sun for seven days and processed into tea powder.
10. Nutmeg membranes are used in the food industry where it can be used as a spice,” he said.
11. Nutmeg fruit juice can benefit health by providing relief for sore throat, cough and flatulence.
extracted from the Star
