BITTER Until The END

Featured i ngredient: Allspice Berries

s cientific n ame: Pimenta dioica i t makes sense that allspice is often mistaken for a blend like Chinese fivespice or pumpkin spice—because the flavor profile is multidimensional, featuring notes of cloves, nutmeg, star anise, fennel, black pepper, and cinnamon. Allspice can be used in ground form or whole. o nce ground, allspice quickly can lose its pungency. g round spices are more intense than whole cloves or berries. w hole allspice berries are sometimes used in stews and soups, and for pickling and brining.

Allspice, also known as Jamaica pepper , myrtle pepper , or pimento , is the unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica , an evergreen tree in the m yrtle family native to the w est i ndies, s outhern m exico, and Central America. o nce dried, the fruits look like peppercorns, but when they are fresh and unripe, the green berries more closely resemble olives.

The berries of the allspice tree are not the only useful part of it. The fresh leaves can give an infused flavor to dishes (like a bay leaf). The wood is used to smoke meat and sausages. Keep your allspice fresh and ready to use by storing it in an airtight jar or another container away from direct sunlight. There’s no need to freeze or refrigerate it. Allspice will last for years whether whole or ground, although ground spices lose their flavor quickly.

( s ource: https://www.bonappetit.com)

Did You Know t hat . . .

The minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants found in allspice may have several health benefits. m any of the compounds in allspice are being studied as potential treatments for inflammation, nausea, and even cancer.

• r educe i nflammation. i nflammation can aggravate injuries or infections. m any compounds in allspice may be able to reduce inflammation.

• Treat n ausea. e ugenol, the compound that makes allspice “spicy,” is sometimes used to treat nausea. Allspice tea may help settle an upset stomach.

• Prevent i nfection. Allspice many contain compounds that could help prevent bacterial infections. i n some studies, eugenol has also shown antiseptic and antifungal properties. i n one study, it was used to eliminate e . coli bacteria and yeast when applied to the skin.

• Pain r elief. The eugenol in allspice is also frequently found in over-the-counter toothache remedies.

( s ource: https://www.webmd.com)