Nutmeg has a warm, sweet, slightly pungent aroma and taste. Ground nutmeg is a clumpy, light colored, orange-brown powder. In this form, nutmeg will lose its potency more quickly than when stored as a whole kernel. Using ground nutmeg when fresh will yield highly aromatic dishes with nutty, warm and slight sweet flavors. Its layered pungency has notes of citrus.
Ground nutmeg is a bakery staple and familiar component of fall baked-good spice combinations that often include cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and clove. It is also an exotic addition to autumn root vegetable or squash dishes, or on ice creams and custards.
Nutmeg is an ingredient in the Pumpkin Spice blends that are so ubiquitous in fall lattes, ciders, cocoas, and coffees.