Nutmeg and Mace

Nutmeg/Jajikayi(Kannada and Telugu)/Jathikai(Tamil)/Jaiphal and Javitri(Hindi)

Nutmeg is a spreading evergreen tree. This unisexual tree is quite unique in that is bears two separate and distinct products; nutmeg which is the kernel of the seed, and Mace which is the dried aril that surrounds the nutmeg within the fruit.
Both nutmeg and mace are used in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. It is used in pulaous, biryanis especially Mughlai types. They are also used as an ingredient in biscuits, cookies, fruit salad, puddings, pastries and milk drinks.
The oil forms of nutmeg and mace are frequently used in meat seasoning, soft-drinks and pharmaceuticals, especially in cough mixtures.

The essential oil is obtained by the steam distillation of ground nutmeg and is used heavily in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. The oil is colourless or light yellow and smells and tastes of nutmeg. It contains numerous components of interest to the oleochemical industry, and is used as a natural food flavouring in baked goods, syrups, 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 some cough syrups. In traditional medicine nutmeg and nutmeg oil were used for illnesses related to the nervous and digestive systems.