🌿 spicesEasy to use
Mace
Banda Islands, Indonesia (Spice Islands); also GrenadaAvailable year-roundSimilar to nutmeg but more delicate, slightly peppery, warm
Did You Know?
Mace and nutmeg come from the same fruit of Myristica fragrans — the nutmeg is the seed and mace is its red lacy covering. In the 17th century, nutmeg and mace were so valuable that the Dutch traded the island of Manhattan to the British in exchange for full control of the nutmeg-producing Banda Islands.
Overview
Banda Islands · Available year-round · spices
Mace is the dried red-orange lacy covering (aril) surrounding the nutmeg seed. It has a flavor similar to nutmeg but more delicate, slightly lighter, and with a hint of pepper and cinnamon.
Banda Islands
Origin
Available year-round
Season
Easy
Difficulty
spices
Category
Flavor Profile
Similar to nutmeg but more delicateslightly pepperywarmsweet
Storage Tips
Whole blades: airtight container up to 4 years. Ground: up to 2 years.
Photo Gallery
How to Cook with Mace
Recipes, pairings, substitutes, and professional tips
Cooking Tips
Use in béchamel sauce, cream sauces, potato dishes, sausages, mulled wine, pound cake. Use slightly less than nutmeg — more potent. Works in both sweet and savory.
Best Pairings
creampotatoporksausagecheeseeggnutmeg
Substitutes
Nutmeg (use same amount), allspice + cinnamon, combination of warming spices
Nutrition & Health Benefits
The nutritional profile and health properties of Mace
Nutrition Highlights
fat
32.4
carbs
50.5
fiber
21.1
protein
6.7
calories
475
Quick Facts
Categoryspices
OriginBanda Islands, Indonesia (Spice Islands); also Grenada
SeasonAvailable year-round
DifficultyEasy
Health Benefits
Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Traditionally used for nausea, insomnia, and digestive issues. Contains myristicin.
Mace Photos
5 photos showcasing Mace in its many forms
🌿
Mace
spices
OriginBanda Islands
SeasonAvailable year-round
DifficultyEasy
Flavor Notes
Similar to nutmeg but more delicateslightly pepperywarmsweet
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Pairs Well With
creampotatoporksausagecheeseeggnutmeg
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