Allspice, also known as Jamaica Pepper, Myrtle Pepper, Newspice, Pimenta, or Pimento, is indigenous to the West Indies, Central and South America, and Jamaica. Harvested from August through November, it is the pea-sized berry of the evergreen pimento tree. The berries are hand-picked when they have fully ripened on the tree. Once ripened, the berries have changed in color from green to purple. The cultivated berries are then dried and turn a dark red-brown color. The berries have a flavor similar to cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and pepper. The berries can be used whole or ground and go well with pepper, chiles, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, ginger, and garlic—a key ingredient in Jamaican Jerk Spice, Mulling Spice, Pickling Spice, and 5 Pepper Blend. Allspice is adapt to both savory and sweet applications. Use to flavor soups, stews, root vegetables, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, lamb, beef, chicken, pork, and fish. Also, use in cakes and desserts with fruit.
