Allspice

Allspice is the dried, unripe berry of a large evergreen tree native to the Caribbean area. Purdue's New Crop reference notes that the fruit is harvested while immature, when it is most strongly flavored, and that both pulp and seeds contain an oil similar to clove oil.

The small brown berries are sold whole or ground. The flavor recalls a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, which is how the spice earned its name. In baking it appears in spice cakes, gingerbread, pumpkin and apple pies, fruitcakes and steamed puddings, and it is a classic partner for molasses and brown sugar.

Ground allspice loses aroma quickly, so many bakers grind whole berries as needed.