What is Mace? 

To answer the question “what is mace” involves discussing its sister spice, nutmeg. They both are products of the nutmeg tree, or Myristica fragrans, which is indigenous to Moluccas (Also referred to as Spice Islands) off the Indonesian coast. Today the trees are cultivated in other areas of Indonesia and also the West Indies.

What is Nutmeg?Nutmeg whole and Sliced Nutmeg Pieces

So what is nutmeg? It is the actual seed from the nutmeg tree while mace is the covering of the seed. Nutmeg can be purchased whole or ground; one whole nutmeg yields about 1 tablespoon of ground. The covering (or mace) is removed by hand during the harvesting process. These related spices are considered to be interchangeable since they both have a warm, spicy flavor with mace having a more subtle taste.

What is Mace?Ground Mace

In asking the question “what is mace”, historically speaking, mace has been the more valuable spice since a smaller quantity of it is yielded from the harvest. Flattened and dried in pieces called blades, the aroma of the spice evolves during the two week curing process. Both spices were valuable cargoes for Arab traders who imported them into Europe during the Middle Ages. In these early European times one pound of mace had the equivalent value of three sheep.

What is Mace in Cooking

Often used in conjunction with cinnamon and allspice, mace can be employed to flavor cakes, donuts, and other pastries. An ingredient of Worcestershire sauce, this spice is also used to add zest to meats, broths, mashed potatoes, stews, and sauces. Mace needs to be ground into a powder for the full flavor of the spice to be appreciated and it should be one of the first ingredients added in any recipe to allow this flavor to infuse into the food. Also used in pickling, the blades may be used instead of powder but should be removed from the dish before it is served.


Usually interchangeable with mace, nutmeg characteristically flavors pies, cakes, eggnog, and cookies. It can also be used in soups and egg dishes as well as certain bland vegetables such as cabbage. Eastern European and Middle Eastern recipes call for nutmeg to season various lamb dishes. Almost all cuisines around the world use either nutmeg or mace (or both) in their recipes.

Even though mace has been considered by many the most valuable, I added ground nutmeg to my kitchen very early in my culinary life. I have far more recipes in which I use nutmeg than I do mace. This is not to say that I do not use mace; I find it very valuable in my cooking. I love the flavor of both but nutmeg is a little stronger adding “zip” to many recipes, especially baked goods and other sweets. In recent years I have started purchasing whole nutmeg and grating it myself; this flavor is “Extra special”.

What is Mace in Medicine

The ancient Arabic world used mace for its supposed aphrodisiac effects. It was also used at various times to ameliorate the muscle and joint pains. Both nutmeg and mace evoke hallucinogenic effects if taken in large quantities which can be fatal. It has also been used as an aid to digestion and treatment for diarrhea.


What is mace and nutmeg? Summary

What is mace and how does it relate to nutmeg is simply answered; they are sister spices from the same tree similar in flavor. Both are needed if you do much cooking. They each add a warm aromatic flavor to a multitude of dishes.

EASY DONUT RECIPE with nutmeg

  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Cup sugar
  • 1 Cup milk
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon nutmeg
  • 4 Teaspoons baking powder
  • 3 Cups flour
  • Oil for frying

Beat egg and sugar until creamy; add milk and remaining sifted dry ingredients.

Drop by spoonfuls into hot oil until browned; drain on paper towels.

Roll donuts in granulated sugar.

SWEET POTATO PUDDING RECIPE 

What is mace? See if you can detect the extra flavor it adds to this sweet potato recipe.

  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup sugar
  • 1 ½ Cups raw grated sweet potatoes
  • 1 Teaspoon mace
  • ¼ Teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ Teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 1 Small can evaporated milk
  • ¼ Cup butter

Preheat oven to 325F degrees.

Beat eggs lightly; add sugar.

Stir in potatoes, mace, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and maple syrup.

Blend in milk and butter; pour into buttered casserole dish.

Bake 1 hour and serve warm.

APPLE DUMPLINGS RECIPE with pineapple sauce (All with nutmeg)

  • 2 Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 Cup shortening
  • ½ Cup milk
  • 6 Cooking apples
  • Sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Butter
  • Pineapple sauce (Recipe below)

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

Sift flour and salt together; cut in shortening until coarse crumbs.

Add milk and stir just enough to form a soft ball.

Turn out onto a floured board and roll ¼ inch thick; cut dough into 5 inch squares.

Peel apples and cut each in eights; cut out core.

Place about 6 pieces of apples on each square of dough.

Sprinkle generously with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; dot with bits of butter.

Fold corners of dough to center and pinch edges together securely.

Arrange dumplings in a large greased shallow pan; cover with pineapple sauce.

Bake until pastry is brown and apples are tender (45 to 50 min); serve warm with cream.

Pineapple Sauce:

  • 2 Cups sugar
  • 2 Cups unsweetened pineapple juice
  • ½ Cup butter
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ Cup broken pecans

Cook sugar, pineapple juice, butter and spices in a saucepan until slightly thick.

Remove from heat and add nuts; apple dumplings to serve 6 to 8.

STEAMED PUDDING RECIPE 

Find out what is mace in this delicious steamed pudding recipe.

  • 3 Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons salt
  • ½ Teaspoon cloves
  • ½ Teaspoon mace
  • ½ Teaspoon allspice
  • ½ Teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Cup beef suet chopped fine
  • 1 Cup molasses
  • 1 ½ Cups raisins (Plus other fruits if desired)
  • 1 Cup milk

Sift flour and then measure; sift three times with soda, salt and spices.

Blend in remaining ingredients; spoon into a well greased pan and cover tightly.

Steam in a larger pan with water for three hours; serve with favorite dessert sauce.

DRIED APPLE CAKE RECIPE 

What is mace in this recipe? It is a mild flavorful spice which works well with the fruit and other spice.

  • 3 Cups apples peeled, cored and chopped
  • 3 Cups raisins
  • 1 Cup chopped walnuts
  • 3 Cups sugar
  • 3 Eggs
  • ½ Cup butter melted
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon mace
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 Teaspoon allspice

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease and flour Bundt cake pan.

Cook apples until tender; add raisins, nuts and half of the sugar; set off to cool.

Cream remaining sugar and eggs in mixing bowl; beat in melted butter and vanilla.

In separate bowl sift together flour with baking soda and spices.

Mix dry ingredients into creamed mixture; fold in apple raisin mixture.

Dump batter into prepared pan; bake about 1 hour or until pick comes out clean.