Name

• Allspice got its name from its complex flavor, which tastes like a mixture of spices such as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper. It's also known as Jamaican pepper, baharat and pimento; the latter term comes from the fact that Spaniards mistook it for black pepper.

Appearance

• Dried allspice berries are 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter and have hard, wrinkled, brown skins. They resemble brown peppercorns. You can also find allspice in its ground form, a fine brown powder.

Uses

• Allspice is a component of both sweet and savory dishes. It's an important part of Jamaican jerk spice mixtures, a common part of pickling liquid or brine in European food, and a component of cakes and other desserts.