Nutmeg

What does it smell like?

Freshly aromatic at first, settling into a mellow, slightly sweet woody warmth.

What is it?

A spice material obtained from the seed of Myristica fragrans.

The material

The seed kernel; mace is the separate outer aril and should not be confused with it.

Where does it come from?

Native to the Moluccas in Indonesia; the reviewed essential oil is produced in India.

Types and forms

Nutmeg oil and mace oil originate from different parts of the same fruit.

Natural and manufactured materials

Natural extracts exist, and perfumers can also reconstruct or support this scent with aroma materials. A listed note is not proof of a particular natural ingredient, species or extraction method.

How it is produced or composed

Nutmeg kernels can be steam distilled to obtain essential oil.

Its role in perfume

Often bridges the opening and heart of a perfume, adding soft warmth to woods, citrus and amber accords. Pyramid positions are useful tendencies, not fixed rules or performance guarantees.

Material type

• Natural material and perfume note

Documented regions

• Indonesia
• India

Accords and scent relationships

• Spicy
• Pairings are editorial exploration ideas, not formula rules.