Allspice, ground
Pimenta dioica
$7
Allspice, with its clove-like taste, is used with vegetables, soups, pickles and sweet dishes.
Allspice berries are the dried, unripe fruits of a tropical evergreen tree native to Jamaica. They are dark brown in color and average 3mm in diameter.
Ground allspice should not be confused with mixed spice which is much milder and sweeter in flavor.
Allspice has a clove-like taste. The common name Allspice is given because the flavor is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Usage Suggestions
- Allspice is the main flavor in ketchup and barbecue sauces.
- Ground allspice is used in spiced tea, cakes, cookies, fruit pies and French toast.
- Allspice powder is a good substitute for ground cloves in cakes and pastries, when a less pungent flavor is desired.
- Add 1/8 tsp. to 1 lb. of ground beef for Swedish meatballs.
- Use in French dressing, beets, baked beans, squash and carrots. Add a dash to asparagus, chicken or tomato soups.
Back in the 15th Century, pepper was a highly regarded and relatively valuable spice. When the Spanish bumped into the Americas, they were so desperate to find rare, sought-after spices, and the poor dears had been at sea for so long, that when showed allspice berries by the natives they thought they were pepper!
The result was that Felipe IV of Spain instructed his minions to investigate la pimenta de Jamaica, ‘pimenta being Spanish for pepper. Imagine the red faces when ships laden with allspice berries landed in Spain, the traders expecting to see valuable black pepper instead!
Therefore, for many years allspice was called Pimento and/or Jamaica Pepper.
Pimento also refers to members of the chilli family, another naming by the Spanish explorers when they noticed chillies from the New World were hot like black pepper (Piper nigrum). That’s why members of the chilli family are called ‘peppers’ in many countries. When you see green olives stuffed with ‘red pimento’ the pimento reference is to capsicum/paprika.
When you see a recipe calling for ‘Red Pepper Flakes’ they mean chilli flakes that may be in the form of Aleppo Pepper or Korean Chilli Flakes used in making Kim Chi.
In an attempt to avoid this pepper/pimento confusion the spice trade started calling these berries Allspice. The reason; the flavor is like a combination between cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg (all spices). In reality the flavor is most like a mild, somewhat fruity version of cloves.
Health Benefits
When added to foods that are difficult to digest, such as proteins and fats or foods that may cause bloating and flatulence, such as cauliflower, cabbage and beans, allspice can aid digestion and relieve any discomfort that is associated with indigestion.Allspice has proven beneficial in the treatment of arthritic and rheumatic pains and other muscular and joint problems. This is because it acts as a rubefacient, which is a substance that when applied to an affected area draws out the inflammation and increases the blood supply to it, giving a warming and calming effect.
Allspice is also known to settle the nervous system, which can be helpful for stress and anxiety as well as other symptoms.
| Botanical Name | Pimenta dioica |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Pimento, Jamaica Pepper, Bay Rum Berry |
| Flavor | Like a mix of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon |
| Contains | Berries of the allspice tree Pimenta dioica |
| Application | Virtually anything, from salads to desserts |
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