Botanical name - Myristica fragrans
Country of Origin - Grenada
When cooking with nutmeg, just like any other spice, get it as fresh as possible. Ground or powdered nutmeg can lose its flavour over time if not stored properly. To get the full effects, consider buying a whole nutmeg and grating it yourself. Use the smallest holes in any style of grater and be sure to grate up only the amount you need at the time. Store the rest of the nut in an airtight container in a cool dry place. If there is not a handy supply of nutmeg in the kitchen, substitute mace for nutmeg in almost any recipe. Mace comes from the same tree. It is a husk that surrounds the nutmeg seed (or nut).