0. Executive Summary
Judgment axis | Key judgment |
| Item Identity | Nutmeg is a spice crop that utilizes the seeds of Myristica fragrans Houtt. of the Myristicaceae family. The aril surrounding the seeds of the same fruit is a separate product called mace. Kew recognizes M. fragrans as an accepted species. ( Plants of the World Online ) |
| Key role | Nutmeg seeds and mace are used as flavoring ingredients for spices, seasonings, confectionery, bakery products, meat processing, beverages, and processed foods, and can be processed separately into powders, oils, extracts, etc. |
| Harvesting principle | After harvesting mature fruits, the pulp, mace (aril), and seeds are separated, and the nutmeg seeds are managed in a separate lot for subsequent drying, shelling, and sorting processes. |
| Product separation | Separate into Fruit → Mace → Nutmeg Seed in Shell → Dried Seed → Shelled Nutmeg → Whole Nutmeg → Ground Nutmeg → Oil/Extract. |
| Separation of similar items | Nutmeg and mace originate from the same plant but differ in plant parts, morphology, HS codes, and market standards, so they are maintained as separate Product Entities. Other Myristica species are separate Plant Entities. |
| Domestic statistics | Since the commercial cultivation area and production volume of nutmeg in South Korea, based on official national approved statistics, were not verified in this v1.0 version, they will be entered later after verification of the official raw data . |
| Supply and demand risk | Dependence on overseas production areas, fluctuations in weather and yield, poor drying and storage, mold, mycotoxins, and foreign matter, variations in flavor, nutmeg-mace mixing, and fluctuations in international prices, exchange rates, and logistics are key factors. |
| Operating Principles | Species–Farm–Fruit Lot–Mace Lot–Seed Lot–Drying–Shelled Nutmeg–Powder/Oil/Extract–Certificate–Buyer Connect the RFQ. |
| Final goal | It is the establishment of a recurring procurement RFQ Intelligence that connects species, plant parts, origin, harvest, drying, quality, and processing forms with Buyer Specs, rather than just simple spice information. |
The FAO/WHO Codex standard work regarding dried nutmeg classifies the dried seeds of *Myristica fragrans* as a separate spice product for food processing and consumption, and treats nutmeg and mace as separate products derived from the same plant. ( FAOHome )
1. Plant Identity & Product Master
Basic fields | detail |
| Korean name | nutmeg |
| English name | Nutmeg |
| Representative scientific name | Myristica fragrans Houtt. |
| classification | Myristicaceae → Myristica → M. fragrans |
| Edible parts | Nutmeg: Seed; Mace: Aril surrounding the seed |
| Non-edible · Separate management | The pulp, seed coat/peel, leaves, branches, etc. are separated from the main spice product. |
| Major harvesting stages | fruit maturity stage |
| Basic product form | Whole Nutmeg·Shelled Nutmeg·Ground Nutmeg·Mace·Mace Powder·Oil·Extract |
| Basic processing stage | Harvesting → Fruit separation → Mass separation → Seed drying → Peel removal → Sorting → Grinding or distillation/extraction |
| Basic use | Spices, Seasonings, Confectionery, Bakery, Meat Processing, Beverages, Food Processing |
| Similarity Principle | Mace is a different part of the same plant but is a separate product. Other Myristica species are separate plant entities. |
Kew recognizes Myristica fragrans Houtt. as an accepted species and treats some past names, such as Myristica moschata Thunb., as synonyms. Therefore, legacy scientific names in past literature and import documents are not deleted but are linked to the currently accepted name. ( Plants of the World Online )
Product Master
Product | Product stage | Key Management Standards |
| Nutmeg Tree/Farm Lot | production stage | Scientific name, origin, cultivation area, producer |
| Mature Nutmeg Fruit | Harvested raw materials | Maturity, harvest date, appearance, pests and diseases |
| Fresh Mace | Separated raw materials | aril Status·Color·Date of Separation·Origin Fruit Lot |
| Dried Mace | Separate spice products | Dryness, color, scent, moisture, foreign matter |
| Nutmeg Seed in Shell | Primary raw materials | Origin, Harvest Date, Drying Condition |
| Dried Nutmeg Seed in Shell | dried product | Moisture, damage, mold, storage |
| Shelled Whole Nutmeg | Basic B2B ingredients | Size, weight, appearance, scent, soundness |
| Graded Whole Nutmeg | Selected items | Size · Defect · Grade · Buyer Spec |
| Broken Nutmeg | Separate Grade | Breakage rate, safety, and suitability for grinding |
| Ground Nutmeg | Crushed product | Raw Material Lot, Particle Size, Moisture, Microorganisms |
| Nutmeg Powder | B2B raw materials | Raw material purity, particle size, and safety |
| Nutmeg Oil | distilled products | Raw Material Part · Process · Batch · Ingredient Specifications |
| Nutmeg Extract | Extracted processed products | Extraction Solvent · Concentration · Raw Material Lot |
| Mace Powder | Separate powder | Do not mix with nutmeg powder |
| Spice Blend | Blended ingredients | Nutmeg/Mace Ratio · Other Spices · Formula |
| Buyer-specific Ingredient | specific uses | Scent Profile · Specifications · Packaging · Delivery Time |
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation
Classification criteria | Subdivision type | Management principles |
| Plant classification | Myristica fragrans | Separated from Myristica species |
| plant parts | Seed, Aril (Mace), Fruit flesh, etc. | Separate Product ID |
| Harvesting stage | Immature and mature fruit | Spices are recorded at their appropriate maturity stage. |
| Cultivation method | Tropical open-field and farm-type gardens, etc. | Recording actual information by production area |
| origin | Country → Region → Farm | Traceability |
| Distribution methods | In-shell·Shelled·Whole·Broken | Product Separation |
| Processing form | Whole·Ground·Powder·Oil·Extract | Independent Product |
| Mace shape | Fresh · Dried · Whole · Ground | Independent management with Nutmeg |
| Final use | Spices, Bakery, Meat Processing, Beverages, Sauces, Extracts | Application Connection |
| Transaction type | Spot · Periodic Procurement · Contract Manufacturing · OEM | RFQ/Contract |
| certification | Organic, Food Safety, Others | Physical certificate verification |
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest
Kew describes *M. fragrans* as a tree native to Maluku (Banda Islands) that primarily grows in wet tropical biomes. Therefore, when considering domestic cultivation, it is necessary to separately verify greenhouse conditions, overwintering, flowering, fruiting, and field suitability, based on the premise that it is a tropical woody plant. ( Plants of the World Online )
step | Essential Dataset | Management purpose |
| Cultivation plan | Species · Origin · Area · Age · Buyer | Production plan |
| Seeds, seedlings, propagation | Breeding Center · Seedling Lot | Plant Identity |
| formula | Planting date and planting density | Farm History |
| Growth management | Crown, flowering, fruit set, fruit development | Production volume forecast |
| rising | Temperature, rainfall, humidity, and abnormal weather | Production Risk |
| Watering | Suwon, period, amount | Growth management |
| dispute | Materials, timing, and usage | Quantity and Safety |
| pests | Occurrence, Control, and Chemicals | Production and residual pesticides |
| flowering | Time and condition | Fruit prediction |
| Fruit set | Fruit trees and fallen fruit | Production volume forecast |
| Harvest judgment | Fruit maturity and dehiscence | Harvesting at the right time |
| harvest | Harvest date, farm plot, weight | Fruit Lot |
| Separation of flesh | Separation of pulp, seeds, and mass | Plant Part Product |
| Mace separation | Separate Aril · Create Lot | Mace Product |
| Seed drying | Drying method, duration, moisture | Nutmeg raw material production |
| Mace drying | Separate process, time, and moisture | Mace quality |
| Removal of seed coat/shell | shelling | Shelled Nutmeg |
| Jeongseon | Damage, mold, foreign matter | Grade |
| Selection | Size, weight, and appearance | Buyer Spec |
| save | Temperature, humidity, and period | Quality stability |
| packaging | Packaging Material · Weight · Lot | B2B delivery |
| shipment | Buyer · Quantity · Date | Transaction tracking |
| smash | Particle Size · Batch | Powder |
| distillation | Raw Material Parts · Process | Oil |
| extraction | Solvent · Concentration · Batch | Extract |
| combination | Formula · Ingredient Ratio | Spice Blend |
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management
Quality items | Mature fruit and seeds | Whole Nutmeg | Ground/Powder | Mace | Oil Extract/Finished Product | Public rating |
| scientific name | essential | essential | Inheritance of raw materials | Same Plant inheritance | Inheritance of raw materials | Public/Verified |
| plant parts | Fruit/Seed | Seed | Seed | Aril | Must be indicated | Public/Verified |
| mountainous district | essential | essential | succession | essential | succession | Public/Verified |
| farmhouse | essential | essential | Raw material connection | Raw material connection | Raw material connection | Verified |
| Lot | essential | essential | essential | essential | essential | Verified/NDA |
| Harvest day | essential | succession | succession | succession | tracking | Verified |
| Harvest year | essential | essential | essential | essential | Raw material traceability | Public/Verified |
| appearance | Maturation/Damage | Shape, color, damage | Raw material inspection | Color and shape | By product | Member |
| weight | Raw material weight | Individual/Package Weight | Packaging weight | Packaging weight | Packaging weight | NDA |
| size | Fruits and seeds | Core Grade | Entry to the island | Mace Size/Shape | By product | Member |
| rating | raw materials | Transaction rating | Product specifications | Separate Grade | Product specifications | Member |
| break | check | core | Raw material history | check | Raw material inspection | Verified |
| Mold and decay | core | core | core | core | Raw material inspection | Verified |
| alien substance | check | core | core | core | core | Verified |
| moisture | Drying management | core | By product | core | By product | Verified |
| Aroma and flavor | reference | core | core | core | core | Member/Verified |
| pesticide residues | Cultivation history | test | Raw material inheritance/inspection | test | Compliant with standards | Verified/NDA |
| microorganism | If necessary | test | core | test | Compliant with standards | Verified/NDA |
| Mycotoxins | Risk assessment | Review and inspection | Review and inspection | If necessary | Raw material verification | Verified/NDA |
| Drying history | — | essential | succession | essential | succession | Verified |
| Processing history | — | shelling | smash | Drying and grinding | Distillation and extraction | Verified/NDA |
| packaging | transit | essential | essential | essential | essential | Member/Verified |
| save | short-term | core | core | core | By product | Verified |
| Consumption/Preservation Period | — | Supplier Standards | By product | Supplier Standards | essential | Verified |
| Shipment | essential | essential | essential | essential | essential | Verified |
| Returns | record | record | record | record | record | NDA |
| Claim | record | record | record | record | record | NDA |
| Repurchase | — | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | NDA |
Lot Master Required Field
Lot ID · Item/Product Type · Scientific Name · Plant Part (seed/aril) · Origin/Cultivation Area · Producer · Cultivation Method · Planting/Cultivation Year · Harvest Year · Harvest Date · Fruit Maturity · Quality Indicators · Weight/Size/Specifications/Grade · Check for Damage/Mold/Foreign Matter · Pesticide Usage Records · Pesticide Residue/Microorganism/Mycotoxin Test Reports · Seed/Mace Separation History · Drying/Shelling/Storage History · Raw Material Lot · Grinding/Distillation/Extraction History · Packaging Date · Use-by Date/Best Before Date · Shipper · Returns/Claims · Repurchase
5. Korea Market & Demand Structure
Customers | Purchase criteria | Cooperation opportunities |
| Spices import and distribution company | Origin · Whole/Ground · Moisture · Scent | Global Supplier RFQ |
| spice processing company | Whole raw material, particle size, and uniformity | Powder processing |
| Food manufacturer | Scent, Safety, Supply Stability | B2B Ingredient |
| meat processing company | Fragrance Profile, Particle Size, Blending Suitability | Sausage and Meat Processing Seasoning |
| sauce manufacturer | Fragrance intensity and dispersibility | Spice Blend |
| Bakery and Confectionery | Fragrance and Powder Standards | Bakery Ingredient |
| Beverage manufacturer | Flavor, Extraction, Blending | Beverage Ingredient |
| food service companies | Ground/Whole · Pavement | Regular supply |
| Hotel · Restaurant | Whole · Origin · Scent | Premium Spice |
| School meals | Safety, Labeling, Delivery Time | Processed spice products |
| HMR · Meal Kit | Standardized Spice Blend | B2B small packaging |
| Distribution/Online | Country of origin, packaging, and labeling | Retail |
| PB | OEM·Recipe·MOQ | Private Label |
| Extraction and flavor companies | Raw part, fragrance, extraction yield | Oil/Extract |
| exporters | Destination country standards and markings | K-Food |
| Research and technology institutions | Storage, Aroma, Extraction, and Quality Analysis | joint research |
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence
step | Key variables | Operational judgment |
| Production in the producing area | Country·Region·Climate·Producer | Origin Risk |
| Harvesting mature fruit | Harvest time and maturity | Raw Lot |
| Seed–Mace separation | Plant parts · Yield | Product Separation |
| dry | Moisture, quality, mold | Zhejiang Province |
| Shelling · Jeongseon | Defects, size, and foreign matter | B2B Grade |
| Mountain storage | Packaging and duration | Quality maintenance |
| international procurement | Supplier · Crop Year · Inventory | Supply stability |
| Import and export | HS · Country of Origin · Documents | Trade Traceability |
| Domestic storage | Lot · Temperature · Humidity · Turnover Rate | Quality Control |
| smash | Entry and Hygiene | Powder |
| Distillation and extraction | Raw Material Parts · Batch | Oil/Extract |
| food processing | Recipe·Application | Finished Ingredient |
| delivery | Buyer Spec · Delivery Date | RFQ implementation |
| Repurchase | Quality, Price, Claims | Supplier Score |
Trade Dataset
item | v1.0 processing |
| Nutmeg HS | International Standard 0908 11/0908 12 Confirmed |
| Mace HS | International Standard 0908 21/0908 22 Confirmed |
| Korea HS-K | Subsequent verification of Korea Customs Service detailed codes |
| Domestic Nutmeg Import Volume | Input after official verification of raw data |
| Domestic Mace import volume | Separate verification |
| Revenue | Check separately by base year and product type |
| Major origins | Check country-specific data from the Korea Customs Service later. |
| Customs clearance unit price | Calculated separately for Whole/Ground/Mace |
| Nutmeg Oil | Verification of raw material HS and separate code |
| Extract | Classification verification by composition and processing status |
| FTA | Confirmation by Country, HS, and Criteria of Origin |
| Quarantine | Confirmation of application by fresh fruit, seeds, and dried products |
| Food inspection | MFDS Food Standards Product-specific Verification |
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence
Products and processes | Key conditions | RFQ conversion |
| Mature Fruit | Maturity and Origin | Origin Processing RFQ |
| Fresh Mace | Color/Separation Status | Mace Processor |
| Dried Mace | Dryness, fragrance, moisture | Separate spice RFQ |
| Nutmeg in Shell | Dryness and soundness | Processor |
| Shelled Nutmeg | Size, scent, defects | Whole Spice RFQ |
| Graded Nutmeg | Grade · Weight · Origin | Premium/B2B |
| Broken Nutmeg | Damage/Safety | Grinding Grade |
| Ground Nutmeg | Particle size, scent, microorganisms | Food manufacturing |
| Nutmeg Powder | Raw material purity and uniformity | HMR · Sauces · Confectionery |
| Nutmeg Oil | Raw material part · Distillation · Ingredients | Flavors B2B |
| Nutmeg Extract | Solvent and Concentration | Food Ingredient |
| Mace Powder | Raw Material Part · Particle Size | Specialty Ingredient |
| Spice Blend | Formula Ratio · Fragrance Profile | Meat Processing · HMR |
| Fruit Flesh | Fruit by-products | Verification of official grounds for food processing |
| Shell | Seed coat/shell byproduct | Compost and Biomaterial Research |
| Distillation Residue | distillation residue | Review of lawful use |
FAO data clearly explains the industrial structure in which commercial nutmeg is the seed of *M. fragrans* and mace is a distinct spice derived from the same plant. ( FAOHome )
When converting by-products into ingredients for food, functional foods, medicines, or cosmetics, safety, recognition as a food ingredient, relevant laws and regulations, and official research grounds are verified separately.
PRP — Product Research Profile
Nutmeg PRP operates with the following structure.
Species → Origin → Fruit Maturity → Seed/Mace Separation → Drying Profile → Whole Nutmeg Quality → Mace Quality → Moisture/Defect/Safety → Aroma Profile → Grinding/Distillation/Extraction → Application Test → Buyer Specification → RFQ Performance
8. AX Transformation
first of all | Execution item | Performance indicators |
| 1 | Scientific Name, Plant Part, Origin, Harvest Date, Lot required values | Essential Field Completion Rate |
| 2 | Nutmeg·Mace·Powder·Oil·Extract Product Separation | Product identification rate |
| 3 | Linking weather, growth, flowering, fruit set, and harvest data | Farm–Harvest Connection Rate |
| 4 | Datafication of Seed/Mace Separation, Drying, and Shelling History | Post-harvest record rate |
| 5 | Linking quality, certificates, safety, and storage history | COA–Lot connection rate |
| 6 | Screening for seed size, damage, mold, and foreign matter using video AI | Selection accuracy |
| 7 | Yield and Seed/Mace Yield Prediction | Yield prediction error |
| 8 | Drying quality prediction | Grade prediction accuracy |
| 9 | Prediction of quality degradation during storage | Disposal/Loss Rate |
| 10 | Prediction of grinding, distillation, and extraction yields | Processing yield error |
| 11 | Product–Buyer AI Match | RFQ → Sample Conversion Rate |
| 12 | Buyer Rating & Repurchase Runtime Connection | Repurchase rate · Claim rate |
9. Industry Problem Bank
Problem group | Problem Definition | Required data |
| Nutmeg–Mace Mix | Can be treated as the same product on the grounds that they originate from the same fruit. | Plant Part·Product ID |
| Mixing of similar Myristica species | Possibility of mixing with other species under the commercial name of nutmeg | Scientific name · Supplier verification |
| Legacy scientific name | Past scientific names and accepted names are mixed | Taxonomy Version |
| Variation in harvest maturity | Quality difference between unripe and overripe fruit | Harvest date and maturity |
| Lack of separate management for Seed/Mace | Discontinuity in the Lot genealogy of the two products | Separation Record |
| Drying deviation | Mold, flavor, and shelf life issues | Drying conditions · Moisture |
| Mold risk | Losses in hot and humid mountainous areas and during storage | Moisture and microorganisms |
| Mycotoxins | Safety management required | Test Report |
| Seed defects | Quality differences such as damage, insect damage, and discoloration | Video · Selection |
| Scent Profile Deviation | Differences based on origin, harvest, and drying | Sensory and Ingredients |
| Severed traceability between raw material and powder | Difficulty tracing Origin/Lot after crushing | Genealogy |
| Oil source part unclear | Possibility of confusion regarding seed and other parts as ingredients | Plant Part · Batch |
| Mace lacks independent quality evaluation | Potential dependency on Nutmeg quality | Mace Grade |
| dependence on imports | Impact of supply shocks in production areas | Country · Supplier · Inventory |
| International prices and exchange rates | Domestic B2B Cost Fluctuations | Price and Exchange Rate |
| HS Statistics Mix | nutmeg·mace·cardamom statistical confusion | HS/FAO Commodity |
| Buyer Spec Difference | Specifications vary by confectionery, meat processing, and flavorings | RFQ Spec |
| Repurchase not reflected | Delivery results not reflected in next raw material selection | Reviews · Claims · Repurchase |
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model
RFQ Type | Public Registration | Verify/NDA |
| Procurement of ripe fruit from the source | Species · Region · Harvest Season | Producer, Quantity, Unit Price |
| Whole Nutmeg for Sale | Origin · Crop Year · General Grade | Inventory · COA · Price |
| Buy Whole Nutmeg | Origin · Product Type · Use | Target quantity and price |
| Mace Sales & Purchase | Plant Part · Origin · Form | Actual Quantity · Grade · Unit Price |
| Regular supply | Product · General Specifications · Period | Monthly volume and price |
| contract production | Species · Region · Purpose | Producer, Area, Purchase Conditions |
| Supply of processed raw materials | Whole/Broken/Powder | Lot·MOQ·COA |
| Ground/Powder | Particle size and product type | Fairness and price |
| Nutmeg Oil | Raw Material Parts · General Specifications | Process, Ingredients, Price |
| Extract | Product·Application | Solvent, Concentration, and Test Report |
| Mace Powder | Plant Part · Particle Size | Lot · Unit Price |
| Spice Blend | General configuration | Formula·MOQ |
| Dining Out & School Meals | Ground/Blend | Price · Delivery Time |
| HMR · Meat Processing | Standard spice ingredients | Spec·Recipe |
| OEM·PB | Product concept | Formula · Cost · Contract |
| export | Product · Destination Country | HS·Price·Regulation |
| Technology demonstration | Drying, Sorting, and Traceability | raw data |
| Research cooperation | Fragrance, Storage, Extraction, Safety | IP and test materials |
11. RFQ Request First
① Need Products & Materials
Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching
Register
② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)
Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching
Register
③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)
Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching
Register
Contact : mail@markethub.org
Version History
Version | Main contents | situation |
| v1.0 | Plant Identity · Plant Part · Nutmeg/Mace Product · Production · RFQ Basic Structure Registration | complete |
| v1.1 | Verification of domestic and global official production, market, and HS trade raw data | expected |
| v2.0 | Quality, processing specifications, and PRP segmentation by Whole Nutmeg, Ground Nutmeg, Mace, Oil, and Extract | expected |
| v3.0 | Combined Producer/Global Supplier – Import/Processing Company – Food Manufacturing Buyer Verified Container | expected |
