allspice

2 synonyms for allspice, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A spice made from the dried, ground berries of a tropical tree, prized for tasting like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

pimento Jamaica pepper

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A spice made from the dried, ground berries of a tropical tree, prized for tasting like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

“She stirred a teaspoon of allspice into the mulled wine.”

pimento

2. noun

An evergreen tree from tropical America whose aromatic berries are dried and ground to make the spice.

“Allspice trees grow well in the warm, humid climate of Jamaica.”

Jamaica pepper

How to use allspice

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

ground allspice whole allspice berries a pinch of allspice allspice berries

A everyday cookery term found in recipes and on spice jars.

Etymology

The name joins the words 'all' and 'spice'. Early users thought the berry's flavour combined several familiar spices at once, so it was named as though it contained all of them in one.

Full origin of allspice →

Frequently asked questions

What is allspice made from?

It is made from the dried, ground unripe berries of a tropical evergreen tree. Despite the name, it comes from a single plant rather than a mixture of spices.

Is allspice a blend of other spices?

No. It only tastes like a blend because its flavour recalls cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves together, which is how it got its name.

Can whole allspice berries be used as well as ground allspice?

Yes, both the whole dried berries and the ground powder are used in cooking, with whole berries often added to slow-cooked dishes and drinks.

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