Allspice

Allspice consists of dried berries of the plant Pimenta dioica, native to Central America and the Caribbean. Its name comes from the fact that its aroma resembles a combination of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper all at once. Whole berries are used in pickled vegetables, marinades, broths, classic Czech beef sirloin sauce, and mulled wine. They are a staple in Central European as well as Caribbean cooking. The whole berries are typically removed from dishes before serving. Allspice has a strong, warm, and intensely aromatic fragrance. It is also used in gingerbread spice blends and various seasoning mixes.