White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1916-11-03
Nutmeg, Cinnamon
and Ginger Facts

ana OlIlgeT T. dCLS
Nutmeg and mace were discussed
in an interesting paper by H. w.
Evans. The nutmeg comes from a
fruit; the trees originated and grow
extensively in the East Indies; the
industry was later developed in the
West Indies and other countries, but
cultivation is practically confined to
the torrid zone. The tree attains a
height of Is to 30 feet. The fruit it.
self is edible and of yellowish color
all the time, not changing color as it
ripens, as do most of our fruits. 1t
grows in clusters and Is shaped much
like our native blue plum.
In it's ripening stage, the fruit
starts splitting from the bottom and
continues splitting until it is prac.
tically halved and the seed, or nut
tendril and perfectly loose in its
skin-like covering, crimson, copper
colored substance which is known as
mace. There are two of these COW
erings, of which only the inner is
used.
This seed, or nutmeg, is used when
grated in cooking and has delight
full aromatic odor and flavor. 1t also
yields the oil of mace or nutmeg but
ter, obtained by compression when
! in semi-ripened state.
fia&e is an aromatic substance
made froh- tho dried covering of this
nutmeg seed. 1t III used principally
for pickles, etc.
Incidentally, the mace" has ESQ
long been symbol of authority,
borne as a staff before high officials
or displayed in legislative bodies.
Cinnamon was ably handled by Ar
thur Waller. 1t has been known as
far back as b. c. 1401. Ceylon Gin.
namon is considered the best; all
other types are classed as cassia
Originally harvested from natural for
ests, the Dutch introduced regular
cultivation some time in the nth
century in Ceylon and Java.
| Cinnamon and cassia are the bark
and cassia buds are the fruit of the
cinnamon tree, which grows about 25
| feet high. Besides Ceylon and Java,
it is grown in China, Japan, East In
| dies and Africa. Ceylon cinnamon Is
a fancy grade and takes great skill
| in preparing it for the market. The
bulk of the cinnamon crop Is taken
| from shoots about two years old and
cutting takes place In May and No.
vember. After cutting, new shoots
will grow from the stumps, 80 there
are always shoots of suitable age for
cropping
After cutting, the bark is peeled off
the shoots and sorted and trimmed
into "quills." These are dried over
charcoal fires and then two or more
are rolled closely together. The I'M
broken and perfect quilts, cut about
~ inches long, are graded according
to thickness mo. / being the finest
or thinnest quil) and packed in bales
Of about 100 pounds.
The available supply of Ceylon Gin.
namon is getting smaller every year
on account of the difficulty of get
ting the necessary skilled labor.
Cassia bark is grown mostly in
China, the East Indies and the Ma.
lay archipelago. In the latter and
some parts of China, 1t is cut from
forest trees. The finest grade shipped
out of China is that known as Lai-
gon cassia.
Cassia buds are the dried buds of
the cinnamon tree. They are of fine
flavor and contain more volatile oil
than any cassia bark, but when
ground lose their flavor in very
short time.
Ground cinnamon or cassa is one
of the few spices that the distributor
never fails to test for flavor before
placing his order. He should also in
form the grinder whether it Is to be
used as a powder or in solution, as
each grade Of cassia shows In solu
ton a different effect.
Cinnamon, cassia and cassa buds
have been known for centuries as
one Of the best antiseptics for pre-
serving and picking.
Imports into this country during
recent years have been as follows:
100000 lbs.
1874 900 IDS.
,772,000 lbs.
The duty Is ] cent per pound.
Oil of cinnamon Is mostly used in
the manufacture of extracts, soap
and drugs. The oil content Of Gin |
namon and cassia ranges from / to 4
per cent.
Some "ginger" was next injected
into the program by Fred Jones. Gin
ger Is the underground root OF
perennial reed-like plant that grows
from three to four feet high. 1t is
native of the warmer parts of Asia
and its use as spice has been
known from very early times. The
records of Palestine show that 1t
was taxed In the 18th century A. d.
and the French also were importing |
1t in that period. India seems to
have produced most of the ginger
used from the 18th to 18th century
Ginger can be cultivated in many |