Does this need skimming?

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Apols for cross-posting from my brew-day thread.
Normally I follow the rule of "don't mess with the FV" but this is one ugly looking sucker...
Despite it looking like cauliflower cheese that's been under the grill for too long it's a spiced ale that's been fermenting for 3 days at 15ºc with S-04. The wort had about 1.5tsp grated nutmeg in it.

What do you think - should I skim it?

 

[Clint]

I'd leave it...but then,what do I know?

 

[DocAnna]

Personally I’d leave well alone. Anything in that has come from the beer so won’t do any harm going back in. I rather suspect a fair bit of the toastiness is from the nutmeg - which does oxidise quite rapidly. That’s why nutmeg is sold whole and grated fresh as the cut part reacts with air and goes dark. It’s also why the first grating of a part grated nutmeg should be discarded if using to flavour cakes/ mashed potatoes. Probably more relevant to cooking though.

 

[Clint]

Didn't know that about nutmeg! I've used nutmeg today in a great big batch of mincemeat,the sweet variety for Christmas mince pies.

 

[moto748]

I was watching a TV show the other day where someone died from a nutmeg overdose...

You have to ingest a hell of a lot, though.

 

[trummy]

Spices have been lifted to the top I would guess. Will be reabsorbed when its finished working ( I think)

 

[DocAnna]

Didn't know that about nutmeg! I've used nutmeg today in a great big batch of mincemeat,the sweet variety for Christmas mince pies.

Well that’s what my Mum taught me … just checked and looks like she was right:

Store it
Once opened ground nutmeg deteriorates quickly, losing it sharpness and freshness and becoming increasingly soapy. Even if kept cool, dark and dry it’s at its best only for a week at most.

Whole nutmegs last for many, many months, years perhaps. The grated surface will oxidise and lose freshness, so always scape this away before adding freshly grated nutmeg to anything.

 

[The Baron]

Nutmeg is also Psychoactive so too much can send you on a trip?

 

[Clint]

I was watching a TV show the other day where someone died from a nutmeg overdose...

You have to ingest a hell of a lot, though.

Those tonka beans are poisonous too..

 

[johncrobinson]

I remember a mate of mine trying to get high on nutmeg during the mid 80s
Took so much instead of going out,I spent the night looking after a rather ill friend.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I seem to recall being told that in (?) c17 times, hipsters used to carry around their own silver nutmeg box together with a little grater, so that they could put it fresh on their food?

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I was watching a TV show the other day where someone died from a nutmeg overdose...

You have to ingest a hell of a lot, though.

Or have a whole one fall on you from a very great height perhaps...