Mace is the lacy, orange-red covering called an aril which surround the spice called nutmeg. The aril is also called Mace. The flavour is very similar to nutmeg, with hints of pepper and cloves. In China and Southeast Asia its primary use is medicinal, and in the West it is used primarily in baked goods and pickling mixtures. If you cant obtain Mace then nutmeg can be used.