Homemade Nutmeg Juice/Drink/Syrup
When you are in Penang, you have to try the delicious and refreshing Nutmeg juice. I haven’t really tried the juice that’s freshly squeezed out from the nutmeg (which I think is also available), the one I’d tasted is the boiled nutmeg juice which is a mix of sweetish, sourish and minty. Zara had her first taste of the drink when we went to Penang 2 weeks back. She loved it, and said it tasted like fizzy Ribena.
On our last day in Penang, since I spotted some fresh nutmeg for sale in Chowrasta Market, I bought 2Kg home and asked around for the method to make the drink. (Btw, at the stalls that are facing Penang Road, they were selling at RM12/kg, but at the back of the market, it was only RM3/Kg).
This is what fresh nutmegs look like
This is what the seeds look like, the red ‘flowery’ mace and the seed can be used for cooking especially salted vege duck soup (Kiam chai ak) but they all turned mouldy and I had to throw them away before having a chance to try it on other recipe.
This is how I made mine (recipe calls for 1Kg nutmeg and 1Kg rock sugar, but I reduced the rock sugar amount).
2 Kg fresh Nutmeg
1Kg Rock Sugar
Method
Wash nutmeg and scrub off any dirt from nutmeg.
Half the Nutmeg and remove the seed.
Smash the Nutmeg.
Layer Nutmeg and sugar in slow cooker, i.e. one layer nutmeg cover with rock sugar, until the whole pot is filled (no water added!).
Turn on slow cooker to high and boil content for 3hrs, then turn power to auto and boil for another 6hrs.
Filter out the thick reddish liquid which can be stored in a container
Mix nutmeg syrup with water to get nutmeg juice drink.
After this first round of boiling, I actually put back the boiled nutmeg into the slow cooker, poured in some water, and turned on slow cooker to auto and boiled the content for another 8hrs. This gave me another batch of syrup which was a bit more diluted but nonetheless as tasty.
I love the red wine colour of the drink, and wonder why the flash being so white, can produce drink this colour.
i believe the colour is from the sugar…like your food posts:)
I tasted the freshly squeeze nutmeg juice, I didn’t like it. It has a bitter taste, nothing like Ribena. 😛
Thanks dear. I did this many years back too (always have to find people from penang to get this for me), but i added some water (just enough to cover the nutmeg) during boiling them in my slow cooker. Hey, smashing them is really a great idea (i skip this step though). And 2nd time cooking is a good idea in order not to waste hor…haha….thanks thanks…
is nutmeg good for kids too?
This is the first time I’ve heard of nutmeg juice. Sounds really interesting!
ooh, i’ve never heard or tried this juice before…it looks really refreshing 😀
I never think of doing this. I will try this soon.
Fizzy Ribena? I’m sure YY will like it too. First time I’m seeing fresh nutmegs.
I did this many years back too , but i added some water during boiling them in my slow cooker.I like the given description which best describes the situation.I love the red wine color of the drink as it looks good at time.I drink occasionally not always in the rare case.I want to know suggestion and some experience from other friends here in this post.
just got 3kg from penang…horray!
thanks for your recipe on homemade fresh nutmeg juice. maybe i can try to make it on my own when got free time.
if anyone got no free time to make the fresh nutmeg drinks as above, maybe can get some fresh natural nutmeg syrup in http://www.1nutmeg.com
Hopefully I can find it at Chowrasta Market on this coming weekend ^^
Hi All –
If you are nutmeg juice lover, you should go to Balik Pulau, Penang.
All the juice are freshly blend with ice. I tried in Balik Pulau, and I fall in love with this healthy freshly juice. You can get them in any coffee shop in Balik Pulau, you will sure love it..it is different from what you can get in any other area of Penang Island.
I tried the Balik Pulau nutmeg juice @ RM1.60 per glass. It is in the coffe shop next to the market. Don’t really like .Sort of numb the tongue and feels dry. Luckily they put asam boi (sour plum)
I still prefer this recipe. Btw, a friend taught me to make it it into smoothies by blending the remaining fruits. N keep them in the fridge. Don;t make them in2 2nd round if you want to make smoothies. Just use 2table spoon of nutmeg smotthies n mix with water.(well up to you how u want it taste like.
Lastly, need not remove all seeds just leave a few to add extra ummmph to the syrup.
If u want d seeds, dry them in the sun immediately for a week then can keep them in an airtight container (if not dry enuf, continue to dry them. Must remove the red color thingy.If the whole seeds cover with the red color thingy, that is the best seed.