Nagkesar (Ceylon ironwood)

Mesua ferrea

spice

Dried flower buds, brown like cloves, with a floral, peppery scent, in some garam masalas.

Origin

India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The dried buds are dry-roasted for a moment, then ground with the other spices.

Did you know?

It is Sri Lanka's national tree, where its very hard wood earned the name “Ceylon ironwood”.