Allspice was named by early European visitors because the warm flavour seemed to combine the flavours of cumin, cloves and nutmeg. It is used in Caribbean regional cooking, as an ingredient in pickling vinegar and as an essential ingredient in the mix of spices for mulling wine and ale.

Its mild, aromatic, liquorice flavour enhances meat and fish dishes and it can be used whole or finely ground in vegetarian Indian dishes. Chew a few seeds after a meal to ‘freshen’ the breath.

The ‘blades’ of mace have a flavour which is similar to that of nutmeg but which is not as strong. They can be used whole in pickling spice or milk puddings (remove before eating). There is a wider culinary application for Ground Mace (see separate entry).