Category: Spice
Allspice is a spice made from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree, which is native to the Caribbean and Central America. It is named “allspice” because its flavor is said to resemble a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Allspice is commonly used in Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cuisine to add warmth and depth to dishes. It can be used in both sweet and savory recipes, such as stews, curries, baked goods, and desserts.
Flavor Profiles:
- Savory
- Sweet
- Pungent
- Warm
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Jamaican-Pepper
What goes with Allspice:
- Poultry – Allspice is a classic ingredient in poultry seasoning, giving poultry dishes a warm, aromatic, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Dark Chocolate – The rich, bitter, and complex taste of dark chocolate is accentuated by the warm and sweet spice of allspice, creating an indulgent combination in desserts like truffles, mousse, and cakes.
- Garlic – Garlic pairs well with allspice because the warm, earthy flavors of the allspice complement the pungent, savory taste of the garlic.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon pairs well with allspice because they both have warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors that complement each other perfectly.
- Sweet Potatoes – Allspice’s sweet and spicy notes enhance the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and add an extra layer of flavor to dishes like casseroles, fries, and mashed sweet potatoes.
- Nutmeg – Nutmeg pairs well with allspice because they both have warm, earthy flavors that complement each other perfectly.
- Beef – Allspice’s complex flavor profile adds depth and warmth to beef dishes, especially in slow-cooked stews and braises.
- Thyme – Thyme pairs well with allspice because its earthy and herbaceous flavor complements the warm and slightly sweet notes of the spice.
- Lamb – The robust and slightly gamey flavor of lamb is elevated by the warm and pungent notes of allspice, making it a perfect pairing in dishes like lamb curry, stews, and chops.
- Ginger – Ginger pairs well with allspice due to its warm, spicy flavor profile that complements the complex, aromatic notes of the allspice.
- Green Onions – Green onions pair well with allspice because the fresh, slightly sweet flavor of the onions complements the warm, aromatic notes of the spice.
- Pumpkin – Allspice’s warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor complements the sweet and earthy taste of pumpkin in dishes like pies, soups, and roasted vegetables.
- Pumpkin Puree – Pumpkin puree pairs well with allspice because the warm, earthy flavors of the spice complement the natural sweetness and subtle nuttiness of the pumpkin.
- Cloves – Cloves pairs well with allspice due to their complementary warm, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors.
- Pineapple – The bright, tangy, and slightly sweet taste of pineapple pairs well with the warm and aromatic flavor of allspice, adding a refreshing contrast in recipes such as grilled pineapple with allspice rub or in fruit salads.
- Fruits (Like Apples, Pears, And Peaches) – Allspice’s warm and sweet spiciness makes it an excellent pairing for fruits in both sweet and savory applications, such as in pies, cobblers, chutneys, and marinades.
- Caribbean And Latin American Cuisine – Allspice is a characteristic ingredient in many Caribbean and Latin American dishes, where it adds depth and warmth to various stews, sauces, and marinades.
- Scotch Bonnet Peppers – Scotch Bonnet Peppers pairs well with Allspice because the fruity and floral notes of the peppers complement the warm and aromatic flavors of the spice.