Allspice

Allspice

Origin
Allspice is known as Jamaican pepper or pimenta. The Pimenta dioica is a plant that produces a berry like fruit. The unripe fruits are picked and dried in the sun. These berries are what are known as allspice.

The Pimenta dioica tree was native to Central America, Southern Mexico and Greater Antilles but now grows in many warmer climates around the world.

In the early days, allspice was used by South Americans to flavor chocolate since the rich spice taste resembled cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

Once it was introduced to Europe, it was named allspice since it was so full of flavor, all in one. Even the English quite took to this spice and named it “English Spice”.

Recipes
Many cuisines around the world use allspice to make flavorful dishes.
Since some of the best allspice is grown in Jamaica, it is a staple spice in Jamaican cuisine. Allspice is used to make favorites like jerk chicken and Jamaican rice and peas. You can even make your own spice blend of Jamaican jerk seasoning so you always have it on hand.

Allspice is also an ingredient used to flavor Swedish meatballs. This spice adds an amazing taste to slow-cooked stews as to a Moroccan Lamb Stew or a pot of Caribbean Lamb Stew.

Allspice is a common spice in Arab cuisines as well, like in Cousa Mashi Arabic Stuffed Zucchini and Arabic Style Rice Stuffing. 

With its great flavor, allspice is usually added to meat dishes such as a Greek Meat Sauce with Spaghetti. This zesty spice is also found in a dish known as the Cincinnati chili. This chili uses a special combination of Mediterranean spices to give it a unique rich taste.

Allspice is commonly found in many deserts as cookies and cakes especially for that spice kick. In Great Britain, allspice is used to make spice cake or a baked custard.

This versatile spice can also be used in cocktails. A commonly known beverage is the West Indian liqueur “pimento dram” made from pimenta tree berries. Adding a bit of allspice dram to a dark rum makes for a nice warming drink. And if you’re not a fan of rum, try it with some whiskey or gin.

Another variation of the rum beverage is the Planter’s Punch. Some say the beverage was concocted in The Planter’s Hotel in St. Louis while others believe it was created by a Jamaican planter’s wife who mixed it up the cool drink to serve to the workers.

No matter where it was founded, today you can sit back and enjoy your drink! Cheers to you!

Cures

Allspice is an herbal medicine and can also be used as an essential oil. Since it has a heating quality, it is used to relieve sore muscles and can be used in a hot bath to improve circulation.

In Jamaica, it has been used as folk medicine for maladies such as diarrhea, infant colic and cholera infantum. For years, Jamaicans have also been drinking allspice tea to help with menstruation pain and upset stomach. 

It can also be used to relieve a headache, stress or depression and known to lift your mood with its soothing warm scent.

Beauty Products

In the early days, Russian soldiers used allspice as a deodorant and applied it all over their bodies and also in their boots to mask the odor. They were definitely on to something as today, pimento oil can be found in beauty products for its rich spice smell. It is also known to have anti-aging effects helping to smooth wrinkles.

Allspice really does it all!

Sources

https://www.myspicesage.com/allspice-ground-p-42.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4sjyBRC5ARIsAEHsELGb1nlSjMlzhxE5xp5eCyF9mbqsQGPI0rfDxQkUUIOJGPM-LXFRsHMaAvy4EALw_wcB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allspice

https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-allspice-1809322

https://www.thespruceeats.com/profile-of-pimento-dram-760260

http://theepicentre.com/spice/allspice-2/