butter
Butter carries mace's delicate nutmeg-like warmth into sauces, vegetables, and baked goods without making the spice taste harsh.
mace
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
The dried, lacy aril (outer covering) of the nutmeg kernel — with a more delicate, floral, warmer character than nutmeg itself, sharing the same volatile compo…
69 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Mace and nutmeg come from the same fruit of Myristica fragrans — the mace aril is the bright red or orange cage-like covering over the dark nutmeg shell, dried to pale yellow (blades of mace). The flavor compounds are essentially the same as nutmeg but in different concentrations: mace is slightly more delicate, more floral, slightly sweeter, and warmer without nutmeg's characteristic slightly musty depth. Ground mace dissipates more quickly than ground nutmeg, making freshness more important. Classic applications for mace in European cooking include spiced pastries (mace is a component of Dutch and British spice blends for baking), in white sauces (béchamel, cream sauces for delicate fish), in poaching liquids, and in potted meat and pâté recipes from classical French cuisine. In Indian cooking, javitri (mace) appears in biryani spice blends and in some northern Indian meat preparations. Whole mace blades can be toasted and ground or used in infusions; pre-ground loses its character quickly.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Core pairings
butter
cinnamon
cloves
nutmeg
cream
butter
Butter carries mace's delicate nutmeg-like warmth into sauces, vegetables, and baked goods without making the spice taste harsh.
cinnamon
Cinnamon reinforces mace's warm baking-spice character while adding sweeter, woodier depth.
cloves
Cloves add sharper spice intensity to mace's softer warmth, making the pairing useful in spice blends, baked goods, and braises.
nutmeg
Mace is the lacy outer covering of the nutmeg seed—they share virtually the same aromatic compounds but mace is more delicate and slightly more peppery; they are used interchangeably but together create a more complete warmth.
cream
Cream softens mace's peppery warmth and lets its nutmeg-like aroma bloom in sauces, custards, and soups.
Cinnamon reinforces mace's warm baking-spice character while adding sweeter, woodier depth.
Cloves add sharper spice intensity to mace's softer warmth, making the pairing useful in spice blends, baked goods, and braises.
Mace is the lacy outer covering of the nutmeg seed—they share virtually the same aromatic compounds but mace is more delicate and slightly more peppery; they are used interchangeably but together create a more complete warmth.
cream
Cream softens mace's peppery warmth and lets its nutmeg-like aroma bloom in sauces, custards, and soups.
Pairs well with
allspice
baked goods
beans
broccoli
cabbage
cardamom
carrots
cheese and cheese dishes
cherry pie
chicken
chocolate
chowders
coriander
cream / milk
cumin
curry
eggs
fish
garam masala
ginger
hazelnuts
ketchup
lamb
meats
onions
paprika
pastries
pepper
potatoes
pound cake
puddings
pumpkin
salads, fruit
sauces, béchamel
sauces, cream
sauces, onion
sausages
shellfish, shrimp
soups and consommés
spinach
stuffing
sweet potatoes
thyme
veal
vegetables
apples
bacon
beets
cheese, goat
eggs, quail
endive
lemon, juice
mustard, dijon
nuts, pistachios
nuts, walnuts
oil, grapeseed
oil, nut
olive oil
orange
pomegranates
scallops
shallots
vinegar, champagne
vinegar, sherry
allspice
Allspice adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
baked goods
Baked Goods gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
beans
Beans adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with mace's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.
broccoli
Broccoli adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cabbage
Cabbage adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cardamom
Cardamom adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
carrots
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cheese and cheese dishes
Cheese And Cheese Dishes adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mace more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cherry pie
Cherry Pie complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
chicken
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
chocolate
Chocolate adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances mace's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
chowders
Chowders complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
coriander
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
cream / milk
Cream / Milk adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
cumin
Cumin adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
curry
Curry adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
eggs
Eggs complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
fish
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mace's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
garam masala
Garam Masala adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
ginger
Ginger complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
hazelnuts
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives mace more contrast and substance.
ketchup
Ketchup complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
lamb
Lamb adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
meats
Meats adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
onions
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens mace's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
paprika
Paprika adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
pastries
Pastries gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pepper
Pepper brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mace's milder flavors and adds contrast.
potatoes
Potatoes gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pound cake
Pound Cake gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
puddings
Puddings gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pumpkin
Pumpkin adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
salads, fruit
Salads, Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mace's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
sauces, béchamel
Sauces, Béchamel adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
sauces, cream
Sauces, Cream adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
sauces, onion
Sauces, Onion adds structure and seasoning that helps mace integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
sausages
Sausages adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mace from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
shellfish, shrimp
Shellfish, Shrimp brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mace's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
soups and consommés
Soups And Consommés adds structure and seasoning that helps mace integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
spinach
Spinach adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
stuffing
Stuffing complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
sweet potatoes
Sweet Potatoes gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
thyme
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mace from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
veal
Veal adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
apples
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mace's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
bacon
Bacon adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
beets
Beets adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cheese, goat
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mace more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
eggs, quail
Eggs, Quail complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
endive
Endive adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens mace's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
mustard, dijon
Mustard, Dijon brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mace's milder flavors and adds contrast.
nuts, pistachios
Nuts, Pistachios adds nutty richness and texture that gives mace more contrast and substance.
nuts, walnuts
Nuts, Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives mace more contrast and substance.
oil, grapeseed
Oil, Grapeseed adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, nut
Oil, Nut adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
olive oil
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens mace's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
pomegranates
Pomegranates complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
scallops
Scallops brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mace's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
shallots
Shallots supplies an allium backbone that deepens mace's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
vinegar, champagne
Vinegar, Champagne adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mace work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, sherry
Vinegar, Sherry adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mace work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Allspice adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
baked goods
Baked Goods gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Beans adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with mace's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.
Broccoli adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Cabbage adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Cardamom adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cheese and cheese dishes
Cheese And Cheese Dishes adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mace more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cherry pie
Cherry Pie complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
chocolate
Chocolate adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances mace's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
chowders
Chowders complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
cream / milk
Cream / Milk adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Cumin adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
curry
Curry adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
Eggs complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mace's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
garam masala
Garam Masala adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
Ginger complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives mace more contrast and substance.
ketchup
Ketchup complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Lamb adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
meats
Meats adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens mace's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Paprika adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mace's natural base notes.
pastries
Pastries gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pepper
Pepper brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mace's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Potatoes gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pound cake
Pound Cake gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
puddings
Puddings gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Pumpkin adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
salads, fruit
Salads, Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mace's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
sauces, béchamel
Sauces, Béchamel adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
sauces, cream
Sauces, Cream adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
sauces, onion
Sauces, Onion adds structure and seasoning that helps mace integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
Sausages adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mace from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
shellfish, shrimp
Shellfish, Shrimp brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mace's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
soups and consommés
Soups And Consommés adds structure and seasoning that helps mace integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
Spinach adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Stuffing complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Sweet Potatoes gives mace a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mace from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Veal adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mace's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Bacon adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mace more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Beets adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mace more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
eggs, quail
Eggs, Quail complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Endive adds complementary vegetable character, giving mace more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens mace's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
mustard, dijon
Mustard, Dijon brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mace's milder flavors and adds contrast.
nuts, pistachios
Nuts, Pistachios adds nutty richness and texture that gives mace more contrast and substance.
nuts, walnuts
Nuts, Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives mace more contrast and substance.
Oil, Grapeseed adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, nut
Oil, Nut adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry mace's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens mace's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Pomegranates complements mace by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Scallops brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mace's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
Shallots supplies an allium backbone that deepens mace's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Vinegar, Champagne adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mace work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Sherry adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mace work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.