Spices, Sweet

The first three are members of the laurel family (Lauraceae). Allspice (Pimenta dioica), a New World species, contains several of the essential oils found in cinnamon and cloves. Bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) are the only European natives in this category. Technically an herb (since its leaves are used), bay leaves are treated like spices because their warm sweet aroma is derived from a broad range of compounds usually found in tropical spices, like allspice. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum), the bark of South Asian trees, are used interchangeably, although cassia is hotter and less expensive and so is found in more commercial applications.