Gum Damar

The primary difference between gums and resins is that resins are not water soluble, while gums are. Resins is valuable in furniture coatings like varnishes and rosins, etc. Resins used in these products are transparent or semi-transparent and have a characteristic luster. Resin is a key ingredient in turpentine, solvents, cleaners, fragrances, dry cleaning, cosmetics, and insecticides. It is also used in artificial flavors such as lemon, peppermint, and nutmeg. And the natural resin in hops is what gives beer its aroma and bitter taste.

While nutmeg and mace are related, and come from the same nutmeg tree, they are different. Nutmeg is the seed found inside the ripe fruit of the tree, after it’s been picked and split open. The lacy membrane that surrounds the seed, once removed and dried, is mace. The flavor and aroma of nutmeg is delicately warm, spicy, and sweet. It comes already ground or whole, which you then need to grate. Freshly grated is far superior. And it’s traditional in eggnog, custards, white sauces, cooked vegetables, like squash and greens, as well as in baked goods.