Pimento is the fruit of a type of pepper that grows in the Caribbean, mainly in Jamaica. It is harvested before it ripens and spread out in the sun to dry. Its English name – allspice – is inspired by its flavor, which combines the spicy elements of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

It was brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus, who initially thought it was pepper; however, the fruit is much larger, about the size of a small pea. In cooking, it is usually used whole and removed at the end of the cooking process.

As one of the essential spices in Middle Eastern cuisine, allspice not only adds flavor to dishes and sauces but also activates gastric juices, thus helping the stomach digest fatty or “heavy” foods.

Like all spices that belong to the broader family of peppers, allspice has warming and anti-inflammatory properties, and it also contains manganese and selenium.