Nutmeg is native to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas archipelago in Indonesia, but in the Middle Ages, nutmeg trees were quickly introduced to other suitable climates following the frenzied craze for this spice. Nutmeg trees are now grown in Sri Lanka, South India, Grenada and South Africa. Nutmeg comes from the nutmeg tree, a tropical tree that can grow up to 16 m high, which produces two distinct spices: the seed (nutmeg) and its cut fibrous web (mace). Also known as ‘nutmeg flower’, mace is the husk that protects the nutmeg. Mysterious? Nutmeg is a two-in-one spice that is hidden inside the fruit of the tree and its shell, protected by the aril, which gives the mace. Both can be used in cooking, even if we don't usually add mace to our dishes. In fact, several European countries find it more refined and use it frequently.