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