What is Allspice Powder?

Allspice Powder is the ground dried unripe berry of Pimenta dioica, a mid-canopy tree in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). Despite the name, allspice is a single spice from one plant, not a blend. Its aroma is often described as combining cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg in a single berry, which is where the English name comes from.

About the plant

Allspice is native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America, and Jamaica remains the largest commercial producer. When Columbus encountered it in the Caribbean he called it "pimienta," the Spanish word for pepper, mistaking it for a peppercorn. Its warm aroma comes largely from eugenol, the same compound found in cloves. It is a foundational spice of Caribbean jerk seasoning and appears across Middle Eastern, Mexican, and northern European cooking and baking.

Allspice Powder: form & sizes

We carry Allspice Powder as ground berry powder, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Allspice Powder in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity, to preserve its color and aroma.

Allspice Powder at a glance

Botanical name

Pimenta dioica

Family

Myrtaceae

Native region

the Caribbean and Central America

Plant part

dried unripe berries

Also known as

Jamaica Pepper, Pimento, Newspice

Form

ground berry powder

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb