Nutmeg and mace are two seasonings that come from the fruit of an evergreen tree. This tree originally grew in the Moluccas (also known as the Spice Islands). Fresh nutmeg is wrapped in a brown hard shell, and outside the shell is a layer of deep red web-like skin, called mace. Nutmeg and mace can be used in the making of desserts and in the stewing of flavorful dishes. Indonesia is still the country that produces the most nutmeg to this day.
Nutmeg is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20m tall. The leaves are opposite, elliptical-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate in shape, measuring 5-15cm in length. They are leathery, with a tapered tip and a sharply pointed base. The edges are smooth, and the upper surface is a light yellow-brown color, while the lower surface is darker and has reddish-brown veins. The leaf stalk is 6-12mm long. The flowers are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees. The male flowers are arranged in a panicle that is 2.5-5cm long. The bracts of the male flowers are scale-like. The flowers are sparse, yellow-white in color, and oval or pitcher-shaped, measuring 6mm in length. They hang downwards. There are 9-12 stamens, which are fused together to form a cylindrical style with a stalk. The fruit is pear-shaped or nearly spherical and hangs downwards. It measures 3.5-6cm long and is light red or yellow in color. When ripe, it splits longitudinally into 2 lobes, revealing a bright red aril. The seeds are spherical and have a brownish-red seed coat. They are woody.
Image of mace:
Mace
Mace
Mace
Mace
