The dried unripe berries of Pimenta Dioica [(L)Merr] are termed Allspice. It is also called Jamaican pepper, Pimenta or Newspice. A native plant from the Caribbean island Jamaica, P. dioica belongs to the family Myrtaceae.
Does allspice come from Jamaica?
Sourcing All Spice
We source our berries from Jamaica, which is known to have the highest grade Allspice in the world. I was lucky to visit our farmer Mr Sherlock at harvest time. His trees grow in the limestone hills in the southwestern part of Jamaica and are grown as a canopy to provide shade for coffee plants.
Where did allspice originate from?
The plant is native to the West Indies and Central America. Allspice was so named because the flavour of the dried berry resembles a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It is widely used in baking and is usually present in mincemeat and mixed pickling spice.
What is allspice called in Jamaica?
pimento
Uses. Allspice is one of the most important ingredients of Caribbean cuisine. Under the name pimento, it is used in Jamaican jerk seasoning, and traditionally its wood was used to smoke jerk in Jamaica. In the West Indies, an allspice liqueur is produced under the name “pimento dram”.
Is there a difference between allspice and Jamaican allspice?
What’s the Difference Between Jamaican, Guatemalan and Mexican Allspice? Jamaican Allspice has the highest volatile oil content, and because of that has long been considered to be best quality allspice in the world. Mexican Allspice berries are the largest and have the darkest color.
What is Jamaican allspice used for?
WHAT IS ALLSPICE USED FOR? You can use allspice in a variety of recipes that are sweet or savory such as cookies, pumpkin pie, spice cake, spicing for sausage and glazes for ham. It’s a key flavor in Jamaican jerk seasoning, the fiery blend of herbs and spices that turns chicken or pork into an instant party.
What is in Jamaican all purpose seasoning?
With a blend of fresh scallion, onion, garlic, thyme, and hot pepper, this Jamaican all-purpose seasoning blend is excellent for prepping meat or adding some extra flavor to your dishes.
Why is pimento called allspice?
To most English speaking people the tree is called “pimento” and the berries “allspice”. The name allspice originated from the popular notion that the pimento berry contains the characteristic flavour and aroma of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper, all combined in one spice.
What is allspice made from?
Moving beyond function and into form, the allspice we know and love is actually a berry. Also known as a Jamaica pepper, myrtle pepper, or pimento, allspice is the unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica, an evergreen tree in the Myrtle family native to the West Indies, Southern Mexico, and Central America.
What is allspice alternatively known as?
what is allspice alternatively known as? Next, you might also know allspice as pimento, myrtle pepper or Jamaican pimento.
Who discovered allspice?
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus discovered Allspice in the Caribbean. Although he was seeking pepper, he had never actually seen real pepper and he thought Allspice was it. He brought it back to Spain, where it got the name “pimienta,” which is Spanish for pepper.
Is black pepper grown in Jamaica?
The first black pepper plant was brought to Jamaica from the East Indies in 1787 by Thomas Hibbert. Both black and white pepper are made from the berries of the black pepper tree; black pepper from the unripe berries and white pepper from berries with the skin removed.
Which cuisine uses allspice?
Allspice is one of the most important spices in Jamaican cuisine. Among other traditional uses, it’s often used in Jamaican jerk seasoning, pickling, sausage preparation, and curries. It’s also a staple in many Middle Eastern dishes, where it is used to flavor a variety of stews and meat dishes.
What is the rarest spice?
Top 10 rarest spices
- 1 – Saffron. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world and can cost an eye watering $500 – $5,000 per pound.
- 2 – Caraway Seeds.
- 3 – Asafoetida.
- 4 – Sumac.
- 5 – Grains of paradise.
- 6 – Annatto.
- 7 – Anardana.
- 8 – Juniper berries.
Does allspice have any health benefits?
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, nausea, and even cancer. Inflammation can aggravate injuries or infections.
Does allspice have cinnamon in it?
Does allspice contain cinnamon? Although allspice does contain all the flavors of cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon combined, contrary to popular belief, allspice is not a blend of different spices. Instead, the flavor of allspice comes from the dried unripe berry of the Pimenta dioica tree.
Is allspice toxic?
Toxicology. Allspice is not generally associated with toxicity, but eugenol can be toxic in high concentrations. Ingestion of extracts may produce toxicity and affect the CNS.
Is allspice good for diabetes?
Allspice is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), intestinal gas, abdominal pain, heavy menstrual periods, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, colds, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. It is also used for emptying the bowels.
Is allspice safe?
Allspice is considered safe in small amounts. While anecdotal evidence suggests potential side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and drug interactions, when it’s consumed in large amounts, no scientific evidence supports these claims.
What are traditional Jamaican foods?
11 traditional main dishes in Jamaica you’ll want to try
- Ackee and codfish. Photo credit: bonchan/Shutterstock.com.
- Jerk chicken/pork/fish. Photo credit: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com.
- Oxtail.
- Curry goat/mutton/chicken.
- Fish Escovitch.
- Brown stew chicken.
- Run Down (run-dun)
- Pepper Pot Soup.
What spices are used in Caribbean cooking?
Explore easy ways to use these herbs and spices for delicious Caribbean food.
- Thyme. McCormick’s pure thyme is an essential and versatile herb.
- Cumin. Cumin is a part of many spices blends across the Caribbean.
- Allspice.
- Red Pepper.
- Cinnamon.
- Nutmeg.
- Ginger.
- Turmeric.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.