The first time you see an Indonesian nutmeg price list, the grade names can look like a code: AB, ABCD, SS, BWP. They are a code, really, but a simple one. Once you know it, choosing the right grade takes a minute.
A little background
Nutmeg comes from Myristica fragrans, a tree that grew for centuries only on a handful of islands in Maluku, the original Spice Islands of eastern Indonesia. Wars were fought over those islands. Today the tree grows more widely, but Indonesia is still the biggest exporter.
Each fruit gives you two spices. Inside is a hard seed, wrapped in a red, lacy layer. The seed, dried and shelled, is nutmeg. The red layer, dried, becomes mace (we wrote a separate guide to mace).
Once the shells are cracked, the kernels are sorted. Grading comes down to two questions: is the kernel sound, and how big is it?
The grades
AB is large, sound nutmeg. Whole, healthy kernels from the bigger sizes. It is the premium grade, used whole by retail packers and for high quality grinding.
ABCD is sound nutmeg in mixed sizes. It is usually sold by count per kilogram. Fewer nuts per kilo means bigger nuts and a higher price. This is the grade most of the food and seasoning industry runs on.
SS stands for sound shrivelled. These kernels are healthy but wrinkled, often because the fruit was picked a little young. They are smaller and lighter, but clean and perfectly usable, which makes them a good fit for grinding and blends where nobody sees the whole nut.
BWP means broken, wormy and punky, punky being soft or light kernels. BWP is not sold as a whole nut for eating. It goes to distillers for nutmeg oil, to oleoresin makers and to some industrial grinders.
| What you are making | Grade most buyers choose |
|---|---|
| Retail whole nutmeg, premium ground nutmeg | AB, or large count ABCD |
| Seasoning, food manufacturing, grinding | ABCD or SS |
| Essential oil, oleoresin, extraction | BWP |
Aflatoxin, honestly
Nutmeg that is dried or stored badly can develop aflatoxins, and many markets, the European Union among them, set strict limits for them in spices. It is the single biggest quality risk with this product. Most serious buyers ask for a lab test before shipment, and we think they are right to. Tell us your destination when you first get in touch, so the testing matches your market’s rules.
Asking for a quote
Tell us the grade you need, and for ABCD the count per kilo. Shelled whole nutmeg is the standard form, though in shell and ground are possible. Add the destination, the packing and the volume, and we can come back with a clear offer.
We supply AB, ABCD, SS and BWP nutmeg, plus whole and broken mace, FOB Surabaya. The nutmeg specification has the details, or you can message us directly.
