| While researching the history, origins and uses of the | | | | one uses it in their cooking around this part of the |
| nutmeg, common enough in Western cuisine, I asked | | | | Punjab, it seems. Finally we discovered that nutmeg is |
| my husband what it was called in Urdu. He didn't know, | | | | banned from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where it is |
| which was curious, as he's a very good cook and has | | | | illegal to possess it because of its narcotic effects, if |
| spent 15 years in Europe. So began more research. | | | | consumed in large quantities. More research online |
| We found photos of the poor nutmeg but he still didn't | | | | showed that some people in the Islamic world are |
| recognize it, although, he knew all about mace, the thin | | | | concerned that it is haram (forbidden or unclean) to eat |
| membrane which is wrapped around the nutmeg, | | | | nutmeg. In the end we found that it is generally |
| separating it from the fruit of which nutmeg is a seed. | | | | considered to be halal (allowed or clean), as long as it |
| Mace is used in up-market garam masala and small | | | | is only used for culinary purposes. That made sense. |
| pieces are added to biryanis, on special occasions, in | | | | Having thought about this issue, there was the possible |
| Pakistani and Indian cookery. A blade of mace | | | | problem with ediblepoppy seeds, but it seems that as |
| currently costs a little more than 50 Pakistani rupees, | | | | they are not from the opium poppy plant, they are fine, |
| and to put that into perspective for you, a 20 minute | | | | halal without a doubt, so your poppy seed bagel or |
| call to the UK from Pakistan costs a little less than that, | | | | bread roll is not an issue. |
| from a mobile to a landline. Or you can buy a kilo of | | | | Once again I am learning more about Pakistani food |
| any vegetable in season; or, for most of the year, 2 | | | | and culture, as well as about Islam. What I am |
| kilos onions or tomatoes for 50 rupees. In the Punjab | | | | discovering is that there are a lot of sensible Islamic |
| you can go to the tandoor and buy 25 rotis (chapattis) | | | | leaders out there. The little nutmeg is only haram |
| for the same money. The poor cannot afford it, so | | | | because of the wrong uses people put it to, but I am |
| you would be forgiven for thinking that nutmeg would | | | | glad to know that it's fine to use in cooking, as it's |
| be used as a substitute. | | | | wonderful for flavouring white sauces. It's a pity the |
| There was no nutmeg in the local spice shop either. No | | | | local spice seller doesn't have any! |