Nutmeg

Scientific name: Myristica fragrans

Available forms: Whole and ground

Native to the Molucca Islands, or Spice Islands, of Southeast Asia, nutmeg is a large, tropical evergreen tree that grows an average of 40 feet (12 meters) high. The tree only comes to fruit-bearing age after 15 years, at which point it may produce as many as 2,000 fruits a year. The part of the nutmeg fruit that is used as a spice is the dark brown nut-like seed and its thin reddish membrane. This membrane is removed and processed into mace (see Mace). Whole nutmeg can be identified by its hard and wrinkled ovate exterior, its brown color, and its size, which is usually no larger than a grape.