Allspice, Ground

.75 oz package

Allspice is also known as Jamaica pimienta, myrtle pepper, yenibahar or simply pimienta. The fruit grows on an evergreen tree or shrub, mainly in tropical regions. The allspice fruit is picked when it is still green and then is traditionally dried in the sun. After being dried, they look like extra large brown peppercorns. Freshly ground allspice will give the best flavor.

The English started calling this seasoning allspice sometime around the 1600's, they thought it tasted like a combination of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. It is one of the most important ingredients in Caribbean foods like Jerk seasoning, it is also used in a lot of Middle Eastern recipes. In the U.S. it is mainly used to flavor desserts, but it is also one of the ingredients that helps give Cincinnati Chili it's unique flavor and aroma.