Nutmeg
Botanically known as Myristica fragrans , is the seed of the nutmeg tree, which belongs to the nutmeg family (Myristicaceae). Nutmeg originally comes from the Banda Islands, which are part of the Moluccas (Spice Islands) in Indonesia. Today it is cultivated in many tropical regions, including Grenada, India and Sri Lanka.
Look
The nutmeg tree is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall. It bears oval, yellow fruits that split open when ripe, releasing the seeds. The seed, the actual nutmeg, is covered by a net-like, red seed coat (the mace). The nutmeg itself is hard and brown, about 2-3 cm long.
Taste and Aroma
Nutmeg has a warm, spicy and slightly sweet taste with an intense, aromatic profile. The aroma is complex and is determined by the essential oil myristicin it contains.