The Nutmeg tree, Myristica fragrans, is indigenous to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. The fruit contains a nut, which is covered by a hard shell. A red-colored webbing (known as Mace) covers the shell. Once ripe, the fruit will open, revealing the Mace, which will fall to the ground to be collected, or it can be picked just before falling. The Mace will then be carefully removed, leaving the Nutmeg (nut) available to be ground and processed. The Mace is also further processed as oil or sold as a ground spice after being graded.

Nutmeg refers to the seed or ground spice of several species of the Myristica genus. Myristica fragrans (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved, evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit, Nutmeg and Mace. It is also a commercial source of an essential oil and nutmeg butter