Allspice

Pimento: spice with a thousand uses and names

Pimenta dioica

Origin: Jamaica

Format: whole fruits

The pimento is a spice with a thousand names. It is often called the Jamaican Pepper, or Clove Pepper. Its scientific name is Pimenta Dioica, but it was called - and is often known as - Allspice by the English in the 1600s because, as the name suggests, it seemed to contain the aromas of other spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Due to its resemblance to the latter spice, pimento is also known as clove pepper. On this page, we will discuss how to use pimento in cooking or at the bar - it is an ingredient in many cocktails if you didn't know - we will talk about its properties and where to buy pimento online.

General Information

The pimento is the dried fruit of the pimienta dioica, a tree of the myrtle family (hence also called myrtle pepper). This incredible spice is also known as "four spices" because its flavor resembles four different ones: nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper. It comes from the regions of Central America, Southern Mexico, and the Greater Antilles, but over time, it has been cultivated in many other areas of the world that share similar climates with its places of origin. The Maya already used it in various contexts, even including it in the mummification process; after Christopher Columbus's arrival, who showed curiosity for this spice, its trade with Europe began, but without much success. It is still today an underutilized ingredient, perhaps because it is very aromatic and has not found a place in our cuisine.

Pimento: properties and benefits

The pimento leaves - which closely resemble bay leaves in shape and color - have toning virtues and are also used in cooking. From the pimento plant, it is possible to extract a very high-quality essential oil found in both the leaves and fruits: eugenol (the same as cloves). In cooking, there are many recipes with Jamaican pepper belonging to South American culture: it is used to create sauces and season soups, meats, and stews. In India, a famous liqueur is made from Jamaican pepper: Pimento Dram. A simple and tantalizing use could be to mix this spice with the pepper we use every day to give it a more exotic touch. To be done in the grinder itself.

Uses in cooking and recipes with pimento

As mentioned, the recipes with pimento are varied, as it is a spice capable of giving a unique aroma to dishes that combines those of nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, and cloves. From its origins to today, Jamaican pepper is an ingredient in recipes from many other cultures beyond those where it was first used. For example, pimento has become a spice widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine, where it is used to flavor meat dishes and stews. In the United States and England, this Jamaican spice is adopted in the preparation of some sweets and desserts. Pimenta is also widely used in Poland, where it is a versatile ingredient that accompanies and enriches many types of dishes, from soups to desserts. A curious use of Pimento that not everyone knows is as an ingredient in hundreds of sauces that are easy to find in any supermarket due to its distinctive aroma.

Uses in cocktails for bartenders and mixologists

Only recently have we discovered how Jamaican pepper is an ingredient in very refined and sought-after cocktails and drinks. In addition to the production of Pimento Dram, a liqueur of Indian origin, dried pimenta berries are used by bartenders, bartenders, and mixologists from around the world for the preparation of drinks and cocktails with Jamaican pepper. Pimento in cocktails pairs well with rum and fresh and refreshing summer drinks. It can also be an ingredient in non-alcoholic drinks and paired with fruit extracts and juices.

Pimento: where to buy it?

If you are looking for pimento for sale online then you are in the right place. For years, Jamaican pepper has been one of the best-selling products in our online spice shop. Since it is a rare Jamaican spice, it is actually difficult to find where to buy pimento. At Terza Luna, you will always find Jamaican pepper for sale online of top quality imported from the best producers and guaranteed by the satisfaction of our customers.

Prices

Pimento in a 50g pack - €2.40 Pimento in a 100g pack - €4.80

An entire online shop of premium peppers just for you

Terza Luna is an online shop dedicated to the world of rare spices where you can buy the most precious varieties of pepper.

• Mix of premium peppers 
• Green Pepper
• Pink Pepper
• White Pepper Grains
• Tasmanian Pepper
• Sichuan Pepper
• Long Pepper
• Madagascar Pepper
• Tellicherry Black Pepper
• Ethiopian Pepper
• Cubebe Pepper

The premium peppers carefully selected and available in the Terza Luna shop are organic. Travel the world while staying in your kitchen and try these rare products.