NUTMEG & MACE What Are They? How Are They Related? Everything You Need To Know About NUTMEG & MACE

NUTMEG & MACE What Are They? How Are They Related? Everything You Need To Know About NUTMEG & MACE All About Nutmeg & Mace Myristica fragrans Plant Family: Myristicaceae Origin: Native to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas (or Spice Islands) of Indonesia. - Nutmeg is the seed, and Mace is the aril that covers it. - Nutmeg grows inside a Drupe that splits open and reveals the Aril around the seed. The Aril is removed (mace) and them the seed is split open to reveal the actual nutmeg. - Nutmeg is not a nut and does not pose a risk to people with nut allergies. - Around the early 1600’s nutmeg became an expensive in demand spice in Europe and was the root of conflict that pitted the Portuguese and the Dutch (who controlled trade ) against the English and French who wanted to obtain fertile seeds for transplantation. - Because of this the nutmeg trees and seeds were closely guarded and those sold whole were dipped in lime to prevent them from being planted elsewhere. - Nutmeg and Mace are used everywhere i