Enspicelopedia

Nutmeg is the seed of the fruit which grows on the tree Myristica fragans, the same fruit from which Mace is derived. The oval shaped seeds have a sweet, spicy flavor. When ripe, the fruit splits in half exposing the netlike membrane or aril known as the mace. The mace closely enwraps a dark brown, brittle shell inside of which is the single, glossy, brown, oily seed or the Nutmeg. Mostly ground nut meg is used in most recipes and is readily available in markets. If using fresh seed, try grating them directing onto the dish for fresh flavour.

English              ~~ Nutmeg

Tamil                ~~ Jathikai

Telugu              ~~ Jajikaya

Kannada           ~~ Jakayi

Malayalam         ~~ Jathikka

Hindi                 ~~ Jaiphal

Mace is the thin, bright red aril or lace-like covering over the shell of the Nutmeg and derived from the fruit of the same tree, Myristica fragrans. Its flavor is similar to Nutmeg but more delicate.

English              ~~ Mace

Tamil                ~~ Jathipoo

Telugu              ~~ Japathri

Kananda           ~~ Japatre

Malayalam        ~~ Jathipatri

Hindi                ~~ Javitre

Black Stone Flower is a kind of lichen (kind of fungus from PARMELIACEAE family) found on rocks and barks of trees. This amazing living organism is edible and known for its high medicinal properties.

English             ~~ Black Stone Flower, Sea Lichen

Tamil               ~~ Kalpasi, Marapassi, Kalpaasi

Telugu             ~~ Kallupachi, Rathipachi

Kannada          ~~ kalluhuvu, kallu hoo

Malayalam       ~~ Celeyam, kalppuvu

Hindi               ~~ Phathar ke phool, Dagad Phool

Kapok Buds are nothing but Marathi Moggu.  These are dried buds and fruits from the Kapok tree or Silk Cotton tree. “Marathi Moggu” is one term which is quite contradictory, as this is a native of Karnataka. Some search results revealed it as a type of caper, but the pictures doens’t match. Net was helpful to some extent but very confusing and somehow convinced with the selection based on the pictures under wiki. Again not a 100% sure but quite positive that it could be the closest. These are the buds from silk cotton trees or Kapok. Flower buds are dried and used as spices and in some cases the fruit is dried and used too.

English                ~~ Dried Kapok buds

Tamil                  ~~ Ilavu, Puulaa, Mullilavu

Hindi                   ~~ Shalmali, Semul

Kannada              ~~ Marathi Moggu

Telugu                 ~~ Tella Buruga

Malayalam           ~~ Appakuttaka, Parappoola, Parapanni.

Jawa Peppercorn are small tailed peppers used for flavouring curries and sauces. Slightly pungent, about the size of a regular black peppercorn with an additional protruding tail.

English                      ~~ Tailed peppers, Jawa peppercorn

Tamil                        ~~ Val Milagu, Cheena Milagu

Telugu                      ~~ Tokamiriyalu

Kannada                   ~~ Balamenasu

Malayalam                ~~ Thippali

Hindi                        ~~  Kabab-chini