Mace is a spice blend of pepper and cinnamon that has a sweet and toasty taste comparable to nutmeg but a touch hotter.
It may be used to season soups, sauces, meat, fish, vegetables, rice puddings, cookies, cakes, donuts, and other baked products in both sweet and savory recipes.
Mace, on the other hand, is a pricey spice, and you may find yourself in need of a replacement if your recipe calls for mace and you are out of stock. So, what are the finest mace substitutes?
Mace alternatives include nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, and mace blades. Whatever substitute you pick will depend on whether you want your dish to be sweet or savory.
Contents
- What Is Ground Mace?
- Best Substitutes For Mace
- FAQs
- What can I replace mace with?
- Can I substitute nutmeg for mace?
- What can I use instead of cloves and mace?
- Is mace the same as allspice?
- Which is stronger mace or nutmeg?
- Is mace safer than pepper spray?
- What spice is most similar to mace?
- Which is sweeter nutmeg or mace?
- Is mace sweeter than nutmeg?
- Can you substitute mace for cinnamon?
What Is Ground Mace?
Mace is an exotic spice from the Indonesian island of Moluccas. It is derived from nutmeg trees, implying that it is closely linked to nutmeg.
After nutmeg fruits are harvested, the hard seed within is extracted and sold as nutmeg. The crimson coating of the fruit is detached and used as a strand of mace or mace blade. As a result, the flavors of mace and nutmeg are quite similar.
Mace covering is dried and crushed to make ground mace, which may be used in baked products and sweet recipes to lend a delicate, sweet, and spicy taste.
Best Substitutes For Mace
If you can’t get mace spice, here are some more common items you may use as a replacement!
1. Mace Blades
Mace blades are an excellent ground mace alternative; they are far less expensive than ground mace, and if your recipe asks for ground spice, you may dry and combine the mace blades.
Replace ground mace with an equivalent number of mace blades in any recipe that calls for it.
Nevertheless, since mace blades cannot dissolve in water, they are best suited for steamed foods such as stocks or rice, where it may be cooked for an extended period of time to extract all of the tastes.
Mace blades may be used in dessert dishes after being pulverized. Just crush dried mace blades in a spice grinder or blender until they are a fine powder.
2. Nutmeg
Since nutmeg and mace are derived from the same fruit, nutmeg is the closest equivalent for mace. Both spices are derived from the same tree, however nutmeg seeds have a stronger taste than nutmeg tree.
While they come from the same tree, nutmeg and mace have subtle distinctions, particularly in taste.
Nutmegs are the fruit’s seeds, which give them a stronger taste and perfume than mace. They also have a little sweet flavor, making them an excellent substitution for mace flavor in meat, sausages, puddings, and baked products.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a popular spice in pastries and baked products, and it makes a great mace substitute. This item is prevalent in many American cuisines and comes in stick and ground forms.
Cinnamon has a diverse taste profile that includes sweet, lemony, spicy, and earthy elements. Ground cinnamon may be substituted for mace in dishes such as puddings, cakes, and pies.
Take in mind that cinnamon has a strong and overpowering taste and perfume, so you may want to use less mace than the recipe calls for.
4. Allspice
Another popular spice found in most homes is allspice. It is a fantastic complement to many dessert dishes and may be used to replace nutmeg as well as mace, particularly in baking.
Allspice is produced from the dried berries of the pimenta dioica tree; it is a famous Jamaican spice with nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper flavors, making it an intriguing and great powdered mace substitute.
In a 1:1 ratio, replace mace with allspice.
5. Ginger
Ginger has a particular taste character and may be used as a flavoring option for meat and savory recipes.
Ginger is native to Southeast Asia and is used in a variety of Asian recipes. It has a brilliant yellow skin, an earth-grey skin, and a sweet yet peppery and powerful taste with a pungent perfume that adds the required warmth to your cuisine.
Ginger’s flavor makes it ideal for flavoring meat, rice, and soups.
6. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin pie spice is famed for its usage in pumpkin pies, but it’s not the only thing it’s good in; it may also be used as a substitute for mace.
Pumpkin pie spice, unlike raw pumpkin, lacks a strong pumpkin flavor and scent; instead, it tastes like a cross between ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, making it an excellent alternative for mace.
Because of its mild taste, you may use the same ratio as mace in a dish.
7. Apple Pie Spice
If you’re cooking apple tart or pudding, replace the mace with apple pie sauce; it’s an excellent substitution for mace and tastes a lot like pumpkin pie spice.
The flavors of apple pie spice include nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and cinnamon. Yet, since it has a strong apple flavor, it is best utilized in apple-based pastries.
When you add the spice to other dishes, it gives them a wonderful apple scent that may change the flavor of your food. When replacing, add a teaspoon of apple pie spice for every teaspoon of mace.
8. Cloves
Cloves are also a good substitution for mace; in fact, cloves and mace both come from Indonesia, but they are not related. Cloves and mace have similar taste profiles, making them a viable substitute.
Cloves, like mace, have a spicy, smoky, and pungent scent and provide a warm and sweet taste to foods. To substitute powdered mace, you may buy entire cloves and grind them into a fine powder.
They may be utilized in the same ways that ground macin meat and dessert recipes are.
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FAQs
What can I replace mace with?
Nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice are all possible mace alternatives. It all depends on the recipe and whether you want it sweet or salty.
Can I substitute nutmeg for mace?
Nutmeg may be substituted for mace in a 1:1 ratio. Mace is the outer layer of the nutmeg seed and has a nutmeg-like taste. You may simply substitute mace with equal quantities.
What can I use instead of cloves and mace?
Nutmeg may be used in instead of clove. This warm spice has a nutty and sweet flavor.
Allspice is a clove substitute. Allspice may be found ground or whole (as in allspice berries)….
Cardamom is a good substitute for clove.
Cinnamon is a good substitute for clove.
Pumpkin Pie Spice may be used in place of the clove.
Nov 18, 2020
Is mace the same as allspice?
Ground allspice is the finest alternative for ground mace. It has a similar taste profile but is much stronger, so cut the recipe in half and then add more if necessary.
Which is stronger mace or nutmeg?
If nutmeg is unavailable, mace has a stronger, sharper nutmeg taste and is sometimes used in smaller amounts. Mace is sold in whole sections known as blades. There is also available ground.
Is mace safer than pepper spray?
Chemical mace, unlike pepper spray, will not induce inflammation of the capillaries in the eyes and skin, resulting in temporary blindness, nausea, breathing problems, and a severe burning sensation.
What spice is most similar to mace?
Mace is said to have a somewhat stronger flavor than nutmeg, however shredded nutmeg is the closest replacement. Otherwise, ground allspice is a somewhat stronger option.
Which is sweeter nutmeg or mace?
Both nutmeg and mace are derived from the same seed and have a warm, earthy, fragrant taste. Mace is somewhat stronger and sweeter than nutmeg, and it works well in custard-based sweets.
Is mace sweeter than nutmeg?
Mace refers to the red webbing that surrounds the seed shell, while nutmeg refers to the oval-shaped seed of the nutmeg tree. Nutmeg is a sweeter, gentler, and more delicate flavor than mace, which has a stronger flavor. This is the primary distinction between mace and nutmeg.
Can you substitute mace for cinnamon?
Several recipe creators recommend substituting nutmeg and mace for cinnamon in a dish. Yet, if mace is all you have, you may use it. Most recipe sources recommend using less mace than cinnamon. For example, instead of cinnamon, use a quarter or half the quantity of mace called for in the recipe.