Myristica

Myristica is a genus of evergreen trees in the family Myristicaceae. It includes about 100 to 150 species native to tropical Asia and the western Pacific. The most economically important member is Myristica fragrans, the source of nutmeg and mace, spices that have been traded for centuries.

The trees are medium-sized tropical hardwoods with simple, glossy leaves. They produce small flowers and, in the fruits, a leathery pericarp enclosing a seed surrounded by a red aril. The seed—the nutmeg—is dried to produce the ground spice; the aril yields mace, a separate spice with a warm, peppery flavor. Nutmeg typically matures in a season or two, depending on conditions.

Native to the Bandas (Bandas Islands) of Indonesia, Myristica fragrans is now cultivated in tropical regions worldwide, notably in Indonesia, Grenada, and other Caribbean islands, as well as parts of India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. In commercial trade, nutmeg is generally produced from cultivated trees; mace is a byproduct of the same fruit. Harvesting and processing involve collecting ripe fruits and removing the outer fruit to extract the seed or aril.

Nutmeg and mace are widely used to flavor foods and beverages. The spice also has traditional medicinal uses in some cultures. Nutmeg contains volatile compounds such as myristicin; in large quantities it can cause adverse effects, including nausea, dizziness, and hallucinations, so it is consumed in small amounts in culinary contexts.