Allspice is ground from the dried, pea-sized dark brown berries of the evergreen "Jamaica pepper" tree which grows in Central America and the Caribbean and is popular in their cuisine. The plant has leathery leaves and white flowers. Contrary to popular opinion it is not a combination of other spices but simply has a smell reminiscent of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon with a little pepper, and is even a little medical. Not to be confused with ‘mixed spice.’
