Allspice - Whole

Allspice is a dried berry which when crushed produces a fragrant aroma and flavor that resembles a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with a little pepper. Other names for Allspice include Jamaican Berries and Jamaican Peppercorns. Jamaican berries are an autumn holiday favorite and can easily be substituted for cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves in most recipes. When making apple and pumpkin pies, or spice cakes, try using Allspice instead. You can stir Jamaican peppercorn into coffee for that holiday feel. Allspice is also key to making the fruit and spicy holiday winter classic drink - wassail.

 

Caribbean cooking relies on this complex, distinct flavor. It is often used as a rub to marinate pork and chicken. Fish, rice stew and bread recipes will contain Allspice, or Allspice can be a suitable and handy substitute.

 

Use Allspice as a digestive aid, too!