Allspice

Whole allspice are the dried, unripened berries of a large evergreen tree, a member of the myrtle family. The tree is indigenous to the West Indies, and allspice is produced mostly in Jamaica (Jamaican allspice is regarded as being of the highest quality of all). Dark reddish brown and pungently aromatic with a clove-like fragrance, allspice combines the characteristic flavours of cloves, nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon. It is used in preserving and pickling, in French and Caribbean cooking, in northern Indian curries and for making pot-pourri. Allspice is also highly regarded for the pervasive scent it gives to soap and perfumes and some alcoholic beverages. The whole berries can be ground in a pepper mill or an electric spice grinder. Available: widely.