McCormick Nutmeg

The nutmeg tree originally comes from the Moluccas in Indonesia, specifically from the Banda Islands. Today, it is cultivated in Sulawesi (Siau Island) and on the island of Grenada (Caribbean), whose red-green-yellow flag is adorned with a nutmeg. The nutmeg (or Banda nut) is the seed of the fruit of the nutmeg tree. It is protected by a shell and is itself enclosed by a covering or aril. The shell is discarded after the nut has been dried in the sun. The aril, from which the spice mace is made—having a subtler flavor than the nut itself—is not thrown away.

Scientific name: Myristica fragrans. Ground nutmeg is often used in potato-based dishes and adds a pleasant flavor to pumpkin-based preparations. It is a key ingredient in béchamel sauce and pairs well with vegetable or seafood gratins, pasta dishes, and rice. It is used to flavor cookies and cakes, creams, punches, sangria, and various liqueurs. It combines very well with cloves or cinnamon.