Noce Moscata, Macis

The nutmeg is the seed of the tropical tree Myristica fragrans that grows up to 12 metres (35 feet) in height and which is native to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia, but is now mostly cultivated in the West Indies. It produces a yellowish fruit, similar to an apricot. The brown seed, which looks like an oval nut, is dried in the sun. The outer skin, or aril, which shrinks to a lacy covering and turns dark orange, is known as mace. This is usually ground to a powder and used for flavouring in the same way as nutmeg, although it has a subtly different flavour.