The sweet, aromatic flavour of nutmeg has been highly prized since Roman times and together with pepper, ginger and cinnamon was one of the principle commodities of the early spice trade. Nutmeg is widely used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian cooking. It is used in baking and to flavour milk based desserts and sauces as well as in savoury dishes. It is usually used finely ground and occasionally in a kibbled form.

The ‘blades’ of mace have a flavour which is similar to that of nutmeg but which is not as strong. They can be used whole in pickling spice or milk puddings (remove before eating). There is a wider culinary application for Ground Mace (see separate entry).