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'''Nutmeg''' and [[mace]] are two spices derived from the same plant, the nutmeg tree (''Myristica fragrans'')
The nutmeg tree is indigenous to the [[Molucca islands]] of [[Indonesia]] but is also grown in the [[Caribbean]] [[(Grenada)]].
Several commercial products are produced from the nutmeg tree, nutmeg and mace being the best know.
Nutmeg is the actual [[seed]] of the tree while mace is the dried "lacy", reddish covering of the seed.
Other products are their [[essential oil|essential oils]], extracted [[oleoresin|oleoresins]] and nutmeg butter. Other nutmeg tree species include the ''M. argentea'' which produces 'Papuan' nutmegs from [[Irian Jaya]] and [[Papua New Guinea]], and ''M. malabarica'' which produces 'Bombay' nutmegs from [[India]]; both are used as adulterants of ''M. fragrans'' products. 

The spices in their ground form are mainly used in the food processing industry, principally in the seasoning of meat products; they are also used in soups, sauces, baked goods and spice mixes such as [[curry]] powder in [[Japan]]. Both spices have similar taste qualities; mace is more popular because of its light orange colour in light coloured foods. Nutmeg, in general, tends to be sweeter and more delicate. These products are also used in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. A possible, future use for nutmeg is as a natural control for insects that infest stored [[cereal]] grains.


The first harvest of nutmeg trees finds place 7-9 years after palnting and the trees reach their full potential after 20 years.

=== World production ===

World production of nutmegs is estimated to average between 10,000 and 12,000 tons per year with annual world demand estimated at 9,000 tons; production of mace is estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 tons. Indonesia and Grenada dominate production and exports of both products with a world market share of 75% and 20% respectively. Other producers include India, [[Malaysia]], Papua New Guinea and [[Sri Lanka]], and other Caribbean islands such as St. Vincent. The principal import markets are the [[European Community]], the [[United States]], Japan and India.  [[Singapore]] and the [[Netherlands]] are major re-exporters.

=== essential oil and nutmeg butter ===

Besides whole nutmeg and mace, the nutmeg tree is also a source for essential oil and [[nutmeg butter]].

==== Essential oil ====

The essential oil is obtained by the steam [[distillation]] of ground nutmeg. The oil is colorless or light yellow and smells and tastes of nutmeg. Essential oil contains numerous components of interest to the [[oleochemical]] industry. Essential nutmeg oil as such is used as natural food flavouring in baked goods, syrups ([[Coca Cola]]), beverages, sweets etc. It replaces ground nutmeg as it leaves no particles in the food. The essential oil is also used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries for instance in [[tooth paste]] and as major ingredient in [[Vicks cough syrup]]. In traditional medicine nutmeg and nutmeg oil were used for illnesses related to the nervous and digestive systems.
Myristicin in essential oil is probably the responsible agent for the hallucinogenic propoperties of nutmeg oil.

==== Nutmeg butter ====

Nutmeg butter is semi solid and reddish brown in colour. It tastes and smells of nutmeg. 75% of nutmeg butter is [[trimyristin]] which can be turned into [[myristic acid]], a C14 [[fatty acid]] which can be used as replacement for [[cocoa butter]] fat, can be mixed with other fats like [[cottonseed oil]] or [[palmoil]] and has applications as industrial [[lubricant]].