Allspice is a widespread spice, often used in our country. We are very fond of using it in soups and marinades. We learn what constitutes allspice, what is its benefit and possible harm, composition and use.
What is allspice?
This spice is also called Jamaican pepper or clove. It is inherently the fruits of a plant from the Mirtov family - Pimenta officinalis. It is rich in essential oils and their concentration is greatest in fruits.
The fruits for the production of spices are ripened still immature and dried. Bluish-green berries in the process of drying change their color to brown. Pimento fruits have a strong spicy and burning taste, can significantly affect the taste of products. They are very fragrant and specialists in its smell find cinnamon and clove notes, smell black pepper and nutmeg.
Distribution history
This spice seasoned food in the ancient Aztecs. After Columbus discovered the American continent, it became popular among Europeans, and replaced black pepper. She comes from Central America, but is now grown in India, Cuba and Jamaica, as well as in Latin America.
Properties of allspice
These spicy peas can have beneficial effects on the human body, but eating the product is recommended in moderation.
Did you know? Pimenta took its name from the Spanish language. The Spaniards pimenta means "spice."
Benefit
Pimento fruits have such healing properties:
- antiseptic;
- painkillers;
- stimulating;
- antioxidant;
- tonic.
- The usefulness of allspice can be put on the following list:
- the use of dishes with fruits of Pimenta officinalis will help to remove an excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines;
- drugs with it are used in grindings for muscle cramps, rheumatism, arthritis;
- contributes to normal water-salt metabolism;
- activates mental function;
- helps to get sputum out of the respiratory system;
- relieves muscle and nervous tension;
- heals the oral cavity and gums;
- suppresses parasites;
- reduces pain in kidney stones and rectal irritation;
- tones up blood vessels and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- useful for diarrhea;
- destroys free radicals;
- useful for men to increase potency;
- improves metabolism.
Possible harm and contraindications
To such a strong spice, individual intolerance can occur. Children and pregnant women are recommended to consume it in moderation. Its excess is irritating to the mucous membranes and people with gastrointestinal diseases should not be abused.
Did you know? Essential oil is made from berries and leaves of medicinal pimenta, which is used in perfumes and cosmetics. Its smell is the basis for the Old Spice cologne. It can be used both for seasoning and for enriching drinks, both strong and non-alcoholic.
Chemical structure and calorie content
Like all seeds, pimento fruits contain many calories - 263 kcal per 100 g.
Their composition is as follows:
- proteins - 6.1 g;
- fats - 8.7 g;
- carbohydrates - 50.5 g;
- dietary fiber - 21.6 g;
- water - 8.5 g;
- ash - 4.6 g.
Vitamins:
- C - 39.2 mg;
- PP - 2.86 mg;
- B6 - 0.21 mg;
- B1 - 0.101 mg;
- B2 - 0.063 mg;
- B9 - 0.036 mg;
- A - 0.027 mg.
Minerals:
- potassium - 1044 mg;
- calcium - 661 mg;
- magnesium - 135 mg;
- phosphorus - 113 mg;
- sodium - 77 mg;
- iron - 7.06 mg;
- Manganese - 2.943 mg;
- zinc - 1.01 mg;
- copper - 0.553 mg;
- selenium - 2.7 mcg.
This spice contains essential oils (eugenol, cineole, fellandren) and phytosterols (61 mg / 100 g).
Important! The shelf life of allspice peas is 2 years, and the ground product is stored for only six months. When buying, you need to pay attention to the packaging - it must be airtight.
Application features
Allspice is a popular spice and is found in almost every kitchen. With him there are folk healing recipes that can be used at home.
In cooking
Allspice is often used in cooking for many dishes. You can take it in both ground form and peas. Most often peas are used, and ground product is usually used in mixtures. The shredded version is an ingredient in such a popular seasoning as curry.
As a seasoning, this component is included in many recipes for the preparation of meat and fish dishes, soups, borscht salads, vegetable dishes, casseroles and even desserts. Often used this spice to give a piquant taste for preservation, salting, pickling. Still this spice is often used in the process of making cheese and cheese products, sausages and for game.
It is added in mixtures to spirits, liqueurs, warming winter teas, punch, grog. For hot dishes and marinades put 2-3 peas per 1 kg of food, and in cold - 10 peas per 1 kg. The minimum consumption rate - 1-2 peas per 2 liters of soup or marinade will not harm even children. Spice lovers, if there are no contraindications, you can increase this amount to your liking.
Important! Sweet pea slowly gives its taste, so it is put half an hour before the end of cooking.
In medicine
For medical purposes, allspice is part of many ointments and creams for rubbing with diseases of the spine, rheumatic diseases, where its antiseptic and analgesic properties are used. In this case, the peas are boiled, and then rubbed into powder.
Allspice can be used for such troubles as diarrhea. To eliminate this problem, it is recommended to swallow 2-3 peas without chewing and drink with water.
By adding such a spice to food, you can get a boost of energy, energy, strengthen immunity, and also reduce the risk of colds and various infections. In winter, it is recommended to drink hot teas to warm and prevent colds with mixtures of spices in which this spice is present. It is recommended to add to men in hot alcoholic beverages (grog, punch) to increase libido.
Analogs and Related Products
It is best to replace it with a spicy mixture of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, taken in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. Allspice can also be replaced with cloves, but take half the clove buds. For example, 10 g of peas are changed to 5 g of cloves.
Did you know? Pimento fruits go well with many other spices. Most often they are used with cloves, black pepper, laurel, nutmeg, turmeric, cinnamon, fennel, citrus zest, cardamom.
Allspice as a spice is universal and can change the taste of dishes. It can be beneficial for the human body and appears in some recipes of traditional medicine.