What Is Allspice Used For?

Allspice, also known as Jamaica pepper, belongs to the myrtle family. It is a dried berry of the pimenta dioica tree, native to Jamaica, Guatemala, and Honduras.  Today it is cultivated and appreciated in many parts of the world.

The berries are harvested just before reaching full maturity and are allowed to dry in the sun. When dry, they are brown and resemble large, smooth peppercorns. 

Allspice is available whole or ground. Whole allspice can be preserved for a very long time, but once it is ground, it will lose its flavor quickly. 

Whoever controls the spice, controls the universe.

— Frank Herbert

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Allspice is pungent and aromatic with a bouquet that evokes cinnamon, nutmeg,  clove, ginger, and juniper berries.

It’s often used in Jamaican jerk seasoning, to produce liqueur under the name “pimento dram” and traditionally its wood was used to smoke jerk in Jamaica. In haut cuisine, like french, It is also used to flavor pâtes, terrines, smoked meats, cakes, fruit pies, and even ice creams. 

The minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants found in allspice may have several health benefits. Many of the compounds in allspice are being studied as potential treatments for inflammation, pain relief, nausea, and even cancer.

If you don’t have any allspice on hand, mix up a substitute by combining equal parts ground cloves, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. 

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