Aromatic kernel (6)
I believe the answer is:
nutmeg
'aromatic kernel' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for nutmeg that I've seen before include "put the ball through" , "Hard, aromatic spice" , "spicy stuff" , "Kick the football between an opponent's legs" , "Variety of spice" .)