Definition

Noun: * Nutmeg: The aromatic seed of the tropical evergreen tree Myristica fragrans, used as a spice in cooking and baking. It is typically dried and grated or ground into a powder.

Usage

• As a spice: "Nhục đậu khấu" is used to flavor both sweet and savory dishes, such as soups, stews, baked goods, and beverages.
  • Thêm một chút nhục đậu khấu vào sốt béchamel sẽ tạo hương vị rất đặc biệt. (Adding a little nutmeg to the béchamel sauce creates a very distinctive flavor.)
  • Bánh bí ngô thường có quế và nhục đậu khấu. (Pumpkin pie usually contains cinnamon and nutmeg.)

Advanced Usage

• Whole vs. ground: "Nhục đậu khấu" can refer to the whole seed (which is often grated fresh) or the pre-ground powder.
  • Hương vị của nhục đậu khấu nguyên hạt tự xay sẽ thơm hơn nhiều. (The flavor of freshly grated whole nutmeg is much more aromatic.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đậu khấu / Thảo quả (Cardamom): A different, though sometimes confused, spice from the ginger family. It is important to distinguish these as they have very different flavors.
• Nhục quế (Cinnamon): Another warm, aromatic spice often used in similar culinary contexts.

Synonyms

• Nutmeg (English equivalent).
• Muscade (French equivalent, as seen in the reference).

Notes on Meaning

• This term specifically refers to the spice nutmeg. It should not be confused with "đậu khấu" or "thảo quả," which refer to cardamom. The prefix "nhục" (flesh, pulp) helps specify this particular seed spice.

noun

1. nutmeg