Allspice

Allspice ( Pimenta dioica ), illustration

Pimento or Allspice ( Pimenta dioica, syn: Pimenta officinalis), also Jamaica pepper, allspice, English Spice, Four spice (see also Quatre- épices ), called miracle pepper or spice grain, is a species of the myrtle family ( Myrtaceae ) and also the name of a spice obtained from this plant.

Description

Pimenta dioica is an evergreen tree reaching heights of growth of about twelve meters. The against-constant leaves are simple and leathery.

This species is dioecious separated geschlechtig ( dioecious ), as well as the botanical name suggests. In zymösen inflorescences, the flowers are borne. The white flower has a diameter of about 0.6 cm.

There is formed a two-seeded beer similar stone fruit, which has a diameter of 0.5 to 0.8 cm. The fruit is half ripe are harvested green because it (if it is red) lose their flavor when fully ripe.

Use

Spice

Are used, the immature fruits that contain essential oils. Main component of the oil is eugenol, which is also found in clove ( Syzygium aromaticum ). Allspice still tastes noticeably sharper than cloves.

Was discovered for the European cuisine allspice on the West Indies by Christopher Columbus, who also gave him the name. To date, the main growing area in Jamaica, from whence come about two-thirds of the world's crop. In Caribbean cuisine, it is generally very popular, there being also the fresh leaves and the aromatic wood also be used ( for grilling ) in addition to the fruit. In Germany Allspice is mainly used in sausage production as well as in the Christmas baking.

Essential allspice

The pimento is extracted from the seeds of Pimenta dioica by steam distillation. The ingredients consist of 60 to 80% phenols, sesquiterpenes, methyl eugenol and oxides. Due to the phenols, the essential oil is very irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Since also acts methyleugenol carcinogenic in animal studies ( carcinogenic ), the essential oil should not be used.

Perfumery: Its balsamic - spicy and peppery scent is reminiscent of clove oil and is often used in spicy Lord perfumes.