Nutmeg grater

Nutmeg grater, England, 1800-25, Silver V&A Museum no. M.1065-1927

A nutmeg grater, or nutmeg rasp, is a device used to grate a nutmeg seed. Nutmeg graters are normally metal, cylindrical or half-cylindrical, the surface perforated with small rasped holes. The nutmeg is passed over the surface to grate. The grater may be combined with a compartment for storing the nutmeg seed between uses.^[1]

In the late 17th century nutmeg and nutmeg graters became associated with drinking punch, at that time a fashionable alcoholic beverage.^[2] Through the 18th century it was the fashion for men to carry nutmeg in a pocket-sized silver container equipped with a grater in order to add freshly grated nutmeg to punch.^[3]

Nutmeg graters are a bartenders' tool, used for adding freshly grated nutmeg to hot toddies, eggnogs, and other warm drinks.^[4]

Any grater capable of fine grating, such as a microplane, can be used to grate nutmeg.

References

1. Nutmeg Graters. CooksInfo.com. Published 02/18/2007. Updated 02/18/2007. Web. Retrieved 11/20/2012 from http://www.cooksinfo.com/nutmeg-graters
2. Davis, John D.; introduction by Meredith W. Green (2002). The Robert and Meredith Green Collection of Silver Nutmeg Graters. Williamsburg, Va.: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. ISBN 0879352175.
3. Victoria and Albert Museum. "Nutmeg grater by Robinson and Phipps". Retrieved 20 November 2012.
4. Mautone, Nick; with Marah Stets (2004). Raising the Bar: Better Drinks Better Entertaining. New York: Artisan. p. 20. ISBN 9781579652609.