Nutmeg Factory @Balik Pulau, Penang 10April2011

Every part of the nutmeg fruit is utilised Young fruit(left) and mature fruit(right) the seed of the mature fruit is covered by a red lacy aril and is known as mace. The nutmeg fruit produces two different spices - nutmeg and mace

Mace drying in the sun Removing mace manually. The nutmeg factory is a family business. 3 generations were seen working side by side.

My all-time favourite - the original jambu air. Sourish and crunchy, there is nothing like it. I have tried planting this plant many times but they all dried up and died on me.

Plucking spree.

No one can resist this pink fruit. However be wary of black ants that can be found within the fruit, Ean's tongue got bitten by one.

The nutmeg tree

My very first encounter with a nutmeg tree. It starts fruiting on its 5th year.

Nutmeg seedlings were planted in sand. Once they are big enough, the sand is washed off. We were told not to yank the seedlings out as the roots are very fine and damage easily

Nutmeg harvested by the crates.

Preserved nutmeg in process

Nutmeg products.

Cordial made from boiling ripe nutmeg for 5 hours, nutmeg balm for insect bites, nutmeg essential oil for aching joints

Essential oil is extracted from the dried seed.

The owner scraped a bit of the seed and said that is all that is required to give your dish a new dimension. Recommended for chinese dishes such as Tauyu Bak and Kiam Chai Ark

Fai trying his hand at cracking the seeds open.

The owner with my nutmeg plant. He taught us the correct technique for removing the black plant bag. Cut around the bag 2 inches from the base, pull off than remove the rest of the bag. This method will increase the plants survival rate.