Mace vs. Allspice — What's the Difference?

Mace is the aromatic spice made from the dried outer covering of the nutmeg seed.

Allspice is a single spice that tastes like a combination of several spices, including cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

This spice offers a delicate, warm taste with a hint of sweetness.

The spice is native to the Caribbean and is a key ingredient in many of its dishes.

Mace is available in whole (blade) form or ground.

Allspice berries are small, dark brown, and can be used whole or ground.

Mace can also be found in spice blends and baking recipes.

It is versatile and used in both sweet and savory recipes.

It is commonly used in savory dishes like stews and potato dishes.

Allspice is also used in mulled wines and ciders.

A staff of office, especially that which lies on the table in the House of Commons when the Speaker is in the chair, regarded as a symbol of the authority of the House.

Allspice, also known as Jamaica pepper, myrtle pepper, pimenta, or pimento, is the dried unripe berry of Pimenta dioica, a midcanopy tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America, now cultivated in many warm parts of the world. The name "allspice" was coined as early as 1621 by the English, who valued it as a spice that combined the flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.Several unrelated fragrant shrubs are called "Carolina allspice" (Calycanthus floridus), "Japanese allspice" (Chimonanthus praecox), or "wild allspice" (Lindera benzoin).

A heavy club with a spiked metal head.

An evergreen tree (Pimenta dioica) native to the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America, having opposite, simple leaves and white flowers clustered in cymes.

The reddish fleshy outer covering of the nutmeg, dried as a spice.

The dried, nearly ripe berries of this plant, used as a spice. In both senses also called pimento.

Spray (someone) with Mace

(uncountable) A spice; the dried and ground unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica, thought to combine the flavours of several spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

A ceremonial staff borne or displayed as the symbol of authority of a legislative body.

(countable) Pimenta dioica, an evergreen tree of tropical America with aromatic berries.

A macebearer.

The berry of the pimento (Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus); wild allspice (Lindera benzoin), called also spicebush, spicewood, and feverbush.

A heavy medieval war club with a spiked or flanged metal head, used to crush armor.

Aromatic West Indian tree that produces allspice berries

A thin fleshy red covering that surrounds the kernel of the nutmeg, dried and used as a spice.

Deciduous shrubs having aromatic bark; eastern China; southwestern and eastern United States

A heavy fighting club.

Ground dried berrylike fruit of a West Indian allspice tree; suggesting combined flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg and cloves

A ceremonial form of this weapon.

A long baton used by some drum majors to keep time and lead a marching band. If this baton is referred to as a mace, by convention it has a ceremonial often decorative head, which, if of metal, usually is hollow and sometimes intricately worked.

An officer who carries a mace as a token of authority.

A knobbed mallet used by curriers make leather supple when dressing it.

(archaic) A billiard cue.

An old money of account in China equal to one tenth of a tael.

An old weight of 57.98 grains.

A spice obtained from the outer layer of the kernel of the fruit of the nutmeg.

Tear gas or pepper spray, especially for personal use.

To hit someone or something with a mace.

To spray in defense or attack with mace (pepper spray or tear gas) using a hand-held device.

(informal) To spray a similar noxious chemical in defense or attack using an available hand-held device such as an aerosol spray can.

A money of account in China equal to one tenth of a tael; also, a weight of 57.98 grains.

A kind of spice; the aril which partly covers nutmegs. See Nutmeg.

A staff borne by, or carried before, a magistrate as an ensign of his authority.

An officer who carries a mace as an emblem of authority; a macebearer.

A knobbed mallet used by curriers in dressing leather to make it supple.

A rod for playing billiards, having one end suited to resting on the table and pushed with one hand.

A chemical preparation containing tear gas in a solvent, packaged in the form of a spray, and used to temporarily incapacitate people, such as rioters or criminals, by causing intense eye and skin irritation; also called chemical mace. It is designed to be a non-lethal weapon for defending against violent people.

(trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization

An official who carries a mace of office

Spice made from the dried fleshy covering of the nutmeg seed

A ceremonial staff carried as a symbol of office or authority

Allspice is named for its aroma, which seems to combine the scents of several spices including cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Allspice has a flavor that resembles a blend of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

While they have different flavor profiles, in many dishes, mace can be substituted for allspice and vice versa, but expect a subtle change in taste.

Mace shines in baking, cream-based dishes, and light-colored soups and sauces.

No, mace is the outer covering of the nutmeg seed, while nutmeg is the seed itself. They have similar but distinct flavors.

Mace is a spice derived from the dried lacy aril of the nutmeg seed, known for its sweet, aromatic flavor.

Yes, mace tends to be more expensive due to its association with nutmeg and the more labor-intensive process of its production.

Absolutely, allspice is a popular choice for seasoning meat, especially in Caribbean and Middle Eastern recipes.

Store mace in a cool, dark place in an airtight container to preserve its flavor and aroma.

When stored properly, allspice can retain its potency for up to 6 years, though ground allspice may lose its potency faster than whole berries.

Allspice is prominent in Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and some Latin American cuisines.

Yes, you can grind allspice berries using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle for the freshest flavor in your dishes.

Mace contains antioxidants and compounds that can offer anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.

Nutmeg is the closest substitute for mace, though it has a slightly stronger and sweeter flavor.

Yes, allspice contains eugenol, which has antiseptic and analgesic properties, among other beneficial compounds.