PIMENTA DIOICA

FAMILY :: MYRTACEAE
ALLSPICE, JAMAICA PEPPER, PIMENTO, PIMIENTA: Allspice is a small, subtropical dioecious tree native to the Caribbean, especially Jamaica where it was “discovered” by Christopher Columbus and mistakenly identified as pepper (Piper nigrum), hence the name Pimienta. The English called it “allspice” believing that it had a combined flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

This seeds of this spice are widely used. Boucan is an allspice-cured meat used by European sailors called Buccaneers. It is said that 18th century Russian soldiers put allspice in their boots as a deodorant. Middle Eastern cuisine relies heavily upon it in flavoring meat dishes. It is used in curries. Western cuisines use allspice in cakes and sweets.

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AllSpice