Description
Mace is made from the lacy, red outer coating that covers the shell around the nutmeg kernel. Once this coating is removed, it’s dried, and can be found and purchased as whole, golden-orange “blades”.
Mace is similar to nutmeg in flavor , but more subtle and delicate. Mace could be used in sweeter dishes. But it’s often used in spice blends for flavoring meat dishes, stews, curries, savory sauces, homemade pickles, and is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine.
Botanically known as Myristica fragrans, the nutmeg tree originates in Banda, the largest of the Molucca spice islands of Indonesia
In the first century A.D., Roman author Pliny speaks of a tree bearing nuts with two flavors. Emperor Henry VI was said to have the streets of Rome fumigated with nutmegs before his coronation. In the the sixth century, nutmegs were brought by Arab merchants to Constantinople.
Mace Production
When the nutmeg fruit is about to split apart, the fruit is harvested and the fruit’s kernel and seed are separated. Then the kernel is dried in the sunlight and the mace is produced.
Health Benefits
This delicate, slightly sweet spice is full of nutrients and minerals which are beneficial to many health conditions.
Promotes Detoxification
Nutmeg/Mace is said to be enriched with properties that can detoxify the body from factors like chemical, excess salts, toxins, etc. which can damage liver cells adversely.
Eases Pain
Nutmeg/Mace contains methanol that possesses pain-relieving properties. Which is why including this spice in your diet can reduce the pain associated with wounds and injuries and strains.
Improves kidney health
Nutmeg/Mace is said to be a diuretic in nature and promote proper urination that results in healthy kidneys. Moreover, many studies have proved that adding nutmeg to your food or consuming a pinch of it can help dissolve kidney stones effectively.
Treats anxiety and insomnia
Nutmeg/Mace contains trimyristin, which, as per studies, showed to cause anxiogenic (reducing anxiety) responses. Nutmeg also works as an antidepressant and can help in treating depression. The spice is basically a brain tonic that stimulates your brain. It even helps eliminate mental fatigue and stress and boosts mental activity.
Improves blood circulation
Nutritionists suggest that potassium found in the spice can relax your blood vessels and allow proper blood circulation.
Helps fight acne
Nutmeg/Mace exhibits strong antibacterial and antifungal activities – and this can help treat acne. And then, there is the anti-inflammatory activity of the spice, which can heal inflammation and redness associated with acne.
You can prepare an acne mask by mixing one teaspoon each of nutmeg and honey (for its additional antibacterial properties). Apply the mixture gently to your face. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and wash off with cold water.
