Nutmeg

spice · Indonesia · tropical plants · seeds

From seed to spice. Nutmeg comes from the seed of a tall evergreen tree that grows in Indonesia. When you buy nutmeg at the grocery store, it is that dried seed ground into powder.

Two spices in one. The nutmeg tree gives you two different spices! Nutmeg comes from the seed itself, while mace comes from the lacy covering wrapped around that seed. They taste slightly different and are used in different dishes.

Island treasure. The Banda Islands in Indonesia are the only place in the world where nutmeg trees originally grew wild. These tiny islands became so famous for their nutmeg that explorers and traders competed fiercely to control them.

More than just flavor. Nutmeg isn't only used in cooking. People also make nutmeg oil and nutmeg butter from it, which are used in perfumes, soaps, and medicines.

Green forever. The nutmeg tree is an evergreen, which means its dark green leaves stay on the tree all year long, even in winter.