Jaiphal

Description

Jaiphal is the Hindi name for nutmeg, an intensely aromatic spice made from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree. Biologically, jaiphal is the inner kernel of the fruit borne by the Myristica fragrans tree, an evergreen native to the exotic Banda Islands of Indonesia (historically known as the Spice Islands). When the yellow, apricot-like fruit ripens, it splits open on the tree to reveal a hard, dark brown shell wrapped tightly in a bright crimson, lacy web. That striking red web is stripped off and dried to become a completely separate spice called Mace (Javitri), while the inner seed inside the shell is dried until it rattles, becoming Jaiphal.