Do you know that mace is the outer lacy orange red covering of the nutmeg?
Yes, Mace as a spice is very closely connected with nutmeg.
In fact, it takes 400 pounds of nutmeg to produce one pound of mace.
Exploring Mace
Mace is native to the Banda islands (one of the spice island) in Indonesia and commonly used in South Asian cuisines. In India, mace is commonly known as Javitri. Indonesia and Grenada are the world's largest producers of good quality Nutmeg and Mace. The remaining production is done by other countries including India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka etc. EU, USA, Japan are the major nutmeg and mace consuming countries.
Unlike nutmeg, mace should be added at the start of cooking to allow its flavor to kick in.
Mace is spicy in taste, much like a blend of pepper and cinnamon but with a stronger aroma. To make mace powder or ground mace, first clean the mace, and then light dry roast the mace till crisp. Let it cool and then grind it in fine powder.
Health benefits
1. Mace stimulates and enhances the brain functionality
Mace Consists of elements like macelignan and myristicin which helps mace in stimulating the neural pathways and improving cognitive function. Mace also helps improve concentration and memory. Mace is not only an excellent stress buster but it is also a great memory booster. It has ability to help focus and to pay attention on minute details. Mace encourages tranquility and serenity by eliminating anxiety and tension. With all these amazing abilities Mace relieves mental exhaustion as well.
2. Mace protects kidneys
Mace is excellent in protecting the kidneys by preventing the development of kidney stones. And if you are already having them, mace will help dissolve them efficiently. Thus, mace is a natural remedy for treating kidney infections and other kidney problems.
3. Mace improves heart function
Potassium is a very crucial mineral to keep human heart healthy. Since, mace is loaded with generous amount of potassium, it improves the heart functioning.
Mace also have an ability to relax the blood vessels which works best for a hypertension. Thus, Regular intake of mace not just keeps the heart healthy but also controls the blood pressure.
Where can you use mace?
- Mace goes well in sweet dishes. It adds sweet, warm and pleasing flavor to the bakery goods like pastries, donuts, cake, cookies, pies etc.
- In India mace is widely used in many sweet as well as savory dishes.
- It is one of the common ingredients in Indian spice mix called ‘garam masala powder’, and Moroccan spice mix called ‘rass-el-hanout’
- Mace flavors so many dishes including barbeque sauces, cabbage, cakes, carrots, cheese dishes, curries, mashed potatoes, oyster stew, puddings, pumpkin pie, spinach, Swedish meatballs, stuffing, squash and yams.
Home remedies
1. Add 1 tsp of mace in boiling water. Keep it for a minute or 2. This tea is excellent to relieve indigestion and great for kidney health.
2. Add a pinch of mace to the toothpaste for external oral health.
3. Add mace oil and olive oil in equal quantity and apply to affected areas for pain relief.
4. Apply a paste of mace and milk on forehead to reduce tiredness, fatigue and even insomnia
5. Mix mace powder, cinnamon powder and honey. Eat 1 tsp daily for excellent heart health.