Fox’s Spices Whole Pimento Allspice 450g

Fox’s Spices Whole Pimento Allspice 450g contains whole dried allspice berries with a warm, rounded flavour that many people describe as a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves with a gentle peppery edge. The berries are firm and smooth, similar in size and shape to large peppercorns, and release their best aroma when simmered in liquid or gently crushed. Whole pimento allspice is ideal when you want slow, steady flavour that builds as a dish cooks, rather than an immediate hit of spice. It suits rich stews, gravy, casseroles, pickles and marinades, and is a key ingredient in traditional jerk style seasoning and many Caribbean and Middle Eastern recipes. Using whole allspice berries also means you can grind them fresh whenever you need a finer powder for baking, spice rubs or puddings.

Key Features:

• The whole berries give a gentle, even release of flavour in long simmered dishes, mulling mixes and pickling liquids, with less risk of overpowering the recipe.
• Whole pimento allspice can be lightly crushed or freshly ground to create your own allspice powder for baking, spice blends and dry rubs when you want maximum aroma.
• A versatile pantry spice that supports a wide choice of cuisines, from Caribbean jerk and Mexican inspired dishes to European stews, sauces and classic British gravies.
• Size: 450g

Recipe Inspiration:

• Add a few whole allspice berries to beef or lamb stews, casseroles and rich tomato sauces, then remove them before serving for a warm background spice that ties the flavours together.
• Simmer whole pimento allspice with vinegar, sugar and salt when making homemade pickled onions, beetroot or mixed vegetables to give a classic tangy and aromatic finish.
• Crush whole allspice berries with garlic, thyme and chilli, then mix with oil and citrus juice to use as a simple jerk style marinade for chicken pieces or pork.
• Pop a few berries into the pan when warming apple juice, cider or red wine with citrus slices for a comforting mulled drink with gentle clove like spice and depth.

What is pimento allspice and where does it come from?

Pimento allspice is the dried unripe berry of the Pimenta dioica tree, an evergreen native to Jamaica and parts of Central America. Despite the name, it is a single spice, not a mixture, and was given the name allspice because its flavour reminded early traders of several familiar spices at once.

What is the difference between allspice and mixed spice?

Allspice is one ingredient made from dried pimento berries, while mixed spice is a blend that usually includes cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, caraway, ginger and sometimes allspice as one of several components. Mixed spice is typically sweeter and milder, so it is not a direct substitute for whole pimento allspice in recipes that rely on its deeper, more rounded flavour.

How do you use whole allspice berries in cooking?

Whole allspice berries are best used in dishes that contain liquid so they can slowly infuse, such as soups, stocks, stews, rice dishes, brines and mulled drinks. You usually add the berries near the start of cooking and remove them before serving, in the same way you would remove a bay leaf, or grind them just before use when you need a finer allspice powder for baking or rubs.