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Also called: English spice, Jamaican
spice or Jamaican pepper
As its name suggests, allspice's flavor is reminiscent of
a combination of spices, including cloves,
cinnamon, nutmeg,
and pepper.
The allspice tree, a member of the mytrle family, is indigenous
to the West Indies and Central and South America. Jamaica
produces most of the world's allspice supply, and not surprisingly,
allspice figures strongly into Jamaican cuisine. The complex,
exotic flavor of Jamaican jerk can be attributed primarily
to allspice.
The liquors Benedictine and Chartreuse also include allspice,
as do many holiday sweets, and Scandinavian herring dishes.
Allspice is readily available both ground and whole. Like
many ground spices, flavor can deteriorate quickly, so it's
best to buy whole berries in small amounts and grind them
as needed. The berries are relatively soft and easily ground
with a mortar and pestle. If you don't have a mortar and pestle,
try crushing them with a rolling pin or even the smooth bottom
of a heavy glass. For a finer powder, use a spice grinder,
coffee grinder, or a blender. Ground allspice is best used
right away, or kept tightly sealed for a few months
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