The brilliant red, lacy, net-like membrane covering in the nutmeg, is the spice called mace. It's a warming spice. Nutmeg has a piney, sweet-bitter taste. The flavor of mace is similar, but more delicate. Uptill the 18th century, the world's only source of nutmeg was Indonesia. The British introduced the spice into India towards the end of the 19th century, though the spice finds mention in Indian Vedic literature. In India, Kerala and Karnataka are main producers.