The first concern for residents of the tiny Caribbean nation of Grenada, where 90 percent of the structures were smashed last month by Hurricane Ivan, is not your Christmas eggnog. But among the casualties on the island, which suffered at least 30 deaths, was the yearly nutmeg crop. According to a statement from the American Spice Trade Association, 70 percent to 80 percent of the nutmeg trees in Grenada have been destroyed and the rest have been stripped of leaves and fruit. Philadelphians ready to launch into the holiday baking season will notice, however, that shelves are full of spices. "We've already bottled our stuff," said Laurie Harrsen, spokeswoman for McCormick & Co. "We've already shipped it off to grocery stores." Dida Flores, a spokeswoman for spice broker John H. Elton, said that "the market will definitely go up," but predicted that consumers won't notice it until next year, with a price increase of up to 10 cents a bottle. Grenada ships about a third of the four million pounds of nutmeg that Americans consume each year, a mind-boggling quantity, considering that we sprinkle only one-fourth teaspoon at a time, on pumpkin pies, fruitcakes, mulled cider and Caribbean dishes. Most of the rest comes from Indonesia. Grenada's supplies of mace, a subtler spice that comes from the netlike membrane on the outside of the nutmeg kernel, were also damaged. Ivan destroyed half the allspice crop in Jamaica, but importers say there are other allspice sources in the Americas. Harrsen suggests tossing out ground nutmeg that is more than three years old. Buy a smaller container and keep it tightly sealed, away from heat and light, she added. Those who want to buy extra supplies against any possible shortage should know that nutmeg freezes well. SOURCE: PHILLY.COM