What exactly is allspice and how is it used?
What can I use instead of pimento seeds?
- What is Allspice? Allspice is the berry of the evergreen "pimento tree" and commonly used in Jamaican cooking.
- Substitute for Allspice. If you don't have allspice you can substitute per teaspoon needed: Combine 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves and optionally a pinch of nutmeg.
- Equivalents.
Is allspice the same as five spices?
The key difference between allspice and 5 spice is that allspice is a single spice while 5 spice is a mixture of several spices. While allspice is made from the dried fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant, whereas 5 spice is made from a mix of fennel seeds, cloves, star anise, Sichuan pepper and Chinese pepper.
What spices do you need to start cooking?
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- Chinese Five Spice is a blend famed for flavoring cheap cuts of meat and making them taste amazing. ...
Is allspice the same as pumpkin pie spice?
Many believe erroneously that allspice is a blend of other spices, like Chinese five-spice powder or pumpkin pie spice. While this is not the case, the flavor profile of allspice closely resembles pumpkin pie spice. It can be used as a substitute for most of spices in the pumpkin pie spice mixture, or simply used on its own.
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Allspice comes from the allspice tree, is available in both whole and ground form, and can be used to flavor everything from jerk chicken to gingerbread!
Lori Rice is a food and beverage writer and photographer. Her work can be found in CiderCraft Magazine, King Arthur Flour’s SIFT Magazine, The Coastal Table, and Plate Magazine, as well as at CraftBeer.com.
What Is Allspice?
Allspice, sometimes called Jamaica pepper or pimento, comes from the allspice tree, a tropical evergreen in the myrtle family that is native to the West Indies and Central America. It features prominently in Caribbean cuisines as well as Middle Eastern and traditional Latin American recipes.
Allspice vs. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Allspice is sometimes confused with blends of spices, like a pumpkin pie spice blend, because those blends often contain allspice, but they are not the same thing!
Whole vs. Ground
Whole allspice is the dried allspice berry. It resembles a large, medium-brown peppercorn with a similar, pebble-like firmness. Whole allspice berries are often used with other whole spices like peppercorns and clove to infuse beverages, sauces, and broths.
What Does Allspice Taste Like?
Allspice tastes like a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, which is why the word “all” was used in its name to describe it! Ground allspice is slightly bitter, earthy, and fruity.
Where to Buy
Ground and whole allspice can be found in most supermarkets in quantities that range from less than one ounce to three ounces. For larger quantities and more affordable pricing try purchasing both at international markets and online.
How to Store
Like most spices, allspice should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Both whole and ground allspice will last up to two years, but ground allspice will lose its potency quicker than whole allspice.
WHAT IS ALLSPICE?
Don’t let its name (or its flavor) fool you: Allspice is not a blend of other spices and is actually the pea-sized berry of an evergreen tree, native to the Caribbean and Central America.
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.
TYPES OF ALLSPICE
Use whole berries rather than ground allspice for slow-cooked stews, braises, mulling and pickles. Whole berries are less intense than its ground form. Whole allspice is also stewed with sauerkraut to provide a sweet, aromatic note to the tartness of fermented cabbage.
FLAVORS THAT GO WITH ALLSPICE
Add some more flavor to your meals with these herbs and spices. They go great with allspice.
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What Is Allspice?
Allspice is actually derived from berries that are native to Jamaica, Guatemala, and Honduras. The berry (also called the pimento, Jamaica pimento, Jamaica pepper, pimenta, or myrtle pepper) is picked from the Pimenta dioica, an evergreen tree in the myrtle family.
How Is Allspice Used?
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.
Allspice Substitute
Don’t have any allspice on hand? No problem—you can DIY a substitute with just a few ingredients. To make 1 teaspoon of allspice, combine:
Jay's Jerk Chicken
This is one of my nephew's favorite grilled recipes. Jerk means Jamaican barbecue. This well rounded flavor of sweet, hot, herbal and spicy chicken can be served with rice, beans or pasta. Or just make a chicken sandwich out of it! I also add garlic and a kiwi to the marinade.
What Is Allspice?
This multitalented spice has all the deep flavor you'll need for desserts, beverages, and more.
Allspice Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream cheese frosting with a little extra something. This is a good frosting for spice cakes that contain allspice.
A Plus Carrot Cake
Tired of the same old, boring carrot cake? THIS is the Carrot cake you'll love forever! A little different because some of the ingredients aren't what you'd find in a 'normal' carrot cake.
Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
My boys LOVE this soup! It's a 'stick to your ribs' soup that everyone will enjoy. Sherry helps to deepen the flavor while half-and-half cream gives an added richness to the soup.
Shemakes Instant Chai Tea
I have searched for an instant chai recipe on the net, but could not find one. This is what I made up, hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to modify it or adapt it.
Authentic Cincinnati Chili
This was handed down to me by Mom, a Cincinnati native. Skimming the fat makes this a healthier version than most, and gives it the right consistency. I like mine 4-way, with spaghetti, raw chopped onions, grated mild cheddar, and oyster crackers!
