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Allspice -(Pimento) is a the
"dried unripe berry" of the Pimenta dioica which belongs to the
family Myrtaceae. It is also know as Jamaica pepper, common name applied to the berry of a
small West Indian tree of the myrtle family.
The tree grows to a height of about 9 m (about 30 ft) and has aromatic, glossy green
leaves and white flowers. The fruit, when dried, is widely used as a spice. The name pimento
is sometimes applied to the pimiento, a variety of sweet pepper, also used as a spice.
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Photo: The Cooks Thesaurus
History
Spanish explorers happened on to the
Allspice plant in Jamaica in the beginning of the 16th century. The Spaniards
thought the fruits look like pepper so they gave it the name of Jamaican Pepper and
pimento from the word "pimienta", Spanish for peppercorn.
The English name "Allspice" was given because the spice is said to have the
aroma of several spices including cloves, pepper and even cinnamon and nutmeg.
Uses
| Salads |
chicken;
mushroom; pasta; slaws; tomato |
| Soups & Stews |
beef; chicken;
consommé; fish; fruit; potato; tomato; vegetable |
| Fish & Poultry |
chicken; duck;
goose; poached fish; turkey |
| Meats |
beef; corned
beef; ham; lamb; rabbit; sausages; veal; venison |
| Vegetables |
beets; carrots; parsnips;
peas; spinach; sweet potatoes; turnips; winter squash |
| Pasta, Grains; Dried Beans |
black beans; bulghur;
couscous; polenta; rice |
| Cheese & Egg Dishes |
cottage cheese; deviled eggs;
fondue; savory custards; |
| Sauces |
barbecue; chocolate; cream;
meat; sweet; tomato |
| Desserts |
baked apples; chocolate;
fruit; gingerbread; pumpkin; spice cakes |
| Miscellaneous |
chutneys; eggnog; hot
chocolate; marinades; mulled wine; stuffings; sweet breads |
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Harvesting
& Forms
The green Allspice berries are picked and then dried. They are very high
in eugenol which is the main flavoring substance of the berry.
Allspice is available as whole berries or ground. Grinding your own whole berries
will provide the most intense flavor and longest shelf life.
Recipes
Jamaican Jerk Spice -
Recipe for whipping up
your own fresh Jamaican Jerk Spice uses fresh garlic, allspice, fresh thyme,
cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, yellow and green onions, Scotch bonnet chile
peppers, kosher salt. It is used as a rub for pork and chicken.
Pumpkin Creme Brulee
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Recipe for Pumpkin
Creme Brulee by Caprial Pence. Includes whipping cream, 7 egg yolks, sugar,
cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, crystalized ginger and whole vanilla bean. Like
pumpkin pie in ramekin!
Substitutions
One teaspoon ground
allspice is equivalent to approximate 5 whole berries.
If you need a substitute for allspice combine equal parts of ground cinnamon, cloves,
nutmeg, and black pepper.
Resources
and Credits
Purchase whole allspice in reusable tins ($2.95) at
Gourmetsleuth.com
Fairchild Tropical Garden - Located in Coral
Gables, Florida. We thank Ms. Collins for correcting our error in the botanical
source of this plant.
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Mortar and Pestles 
Perfect
grinding
tools. Select from Thai Granite (used by Jamie Oliver, the Nake Chef),
Mexican Molcajete, Thai Palm or Olivewood as well as others at
Gourmetsleuth.com |
