Allspice: useful properties. The use of allspice

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Not many of us have heard of the he alth benefits of allspice. In fact, it not only has a wonderful aroma, but is also very he althy.

Description

Allspice, or Jamaican, pepper is a spice native to the Caribbean and South America. Allspice is a blue-green fruit of the pimenta officinalis tree, which reaches 20 m in height and grows in countries with a hot tropical climate - Jamaica, Brazil, Antalya, Cuba, Bahamas. It is worth noting that despite numerous attempts to cultivate pimento officinalis in other areas with similar climatic conditions, significant success has not been achieved. This plant does not take root very well in any other places. The reason for this lies in the characteristics of the soils on which pimento grows.

To get a fragrant spice, unripe fruits are harvested together with inflorescences, and then dried under the hot sun or in special ovens. Thoroughly dried peas become brown in color and become rough. In this form, allspice, peeled from inflorescences, is supplied all over the world as a very fragrant and valuable spice.

Distribution history

In ancient times, Indians believed that allspice had aphrodisiac properties, especially when combined with cocoa. In India, pimento was used for medicinal purposes, and the Mayan tribes used it in ceremonies to embalm the bodies of their leaders. Piment was brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus, who discovered it on the islands in the Caribbean in 1600. From the beginning of the 18th century, allspice began to be in demand in Europe, and especially among English gourmets, who gave it the name "all spices".

Characteristic feature of allspice

The peculiarity of allspice is its unique aroma, which combines shades of cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper and cloves. Due to this quality, as well as pungency, this spice has a wide range of uses. However, it is best to store the spice in the form of peas, since its fine aroma quickly disappears when ground.

Chemical structure of allspice

Useful properties of allspice are due to its rich chemical composition. It includes valuable pimento essential oil (about 4%), which contains tannins, fatty oils, resins, and other components such as:

• phellandrene;
• eugenol;
• cineole;
• caryophyllene.

In addition, allspice is rich in vitamin C, retinol and B vitamins, as well as minerals necessary for the body: potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iron, magnesium, selenium, copper, manganese.

Allspice: useful properties

The component composition of allspice gives it a whole list of useful properties, among which we can distinguish:

• giving strength and vigor, restoration of human vital energy, tonic properties;
• anti-inflammatory effect in the fight against parasites, as well as internal foci of infections;
• fixing effect provided by tannins in pepper;
• normalization of water-s alt balance in the body;
• help with rheumatic diseases, arthritis, pinched vertebrae and nerve endings.

Using allspice

The delicate spicy aroma and taste of allspice is in demand in many areas of life. In particular, pimento is highly valued and actively used in the industrial perfume industry for the manufacture of perfumes and toilet waters. Allspice is added to personal care products such as toilet soap, and is also included in air fresheners to get rid of unpleasant odors.

Allspice, the properties of which we are considering, is especially widely used in cooking. Every zealous housewife in the kitchen must have allspice, as it gives all dishes a delicate, exceptional taste and aroma.

Usually, Jamaican pepper is used in the form of peas, but you can also use it in ground form. Ground allspice has found use in confectionery products such as muffins orbiscuits, as it gives baking notes of cinnamon and nutmeg at the same time. It is not uncommon to add allspice to drinks, such as barley wine or mulled wine, as well as tea or coffee. Experienced cooks advise grinding the pepper immediately before use so that it does not lose its flavor.

However, allspice-peas can be found especially often:

• in the composition of the first courses - soups, borscht, fish soup, stew;
• in main dishes - from fish, beef and pork meat, poultry, vegetables;
• in sauces for salads and main courses, in fillings and marinades for meat and fish.

According to the recommendations of professional chefs, when preparing dishes, allspice should be added at the very beginning, as it needs time to release its taste and aroma. At the end of the cooking process, peppercorns must be removed.

In the food industry, allspice is primarily used in the manufacture of minced meat for sausages and sausages, sausages, pates and brawn.

In the production of some varieties of hard cheese, allspice is also used. In addition, this spice is an essential component of the famous and beloved curry seasoning in India.

Treatment with allspice

Useful qualities of allspice are widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In particular, for quick relief from indigestion, you should swallow a few peas of allspice without chewing, and drink them with clean water. Improvement should come after a short time. If there is no effect, you need to drink a few more sweet peas. This effect of pepper is caused by the presence of a large number of tannins in its composition, so it can serve as an economical alternative to expensive medicines. In addition, tea with the addition of a few pimento peas can relieve flatulence and bloating.

Allspice is often used to treat rheumatic pains, as well as problems with the vertebrae and nerve endings. An ointment is made from sweet peas to relieve pain. It is made from pre-boiled and powdered allspice.

In violation of skin pigmentation, that is, vitiligo, allspice powder contributes to the active production of skin pigment. For medicinal purposes, it should be regularly added to food.

Treatment with allspice is effective for coughs, lack of appetite and indigestion, delays in menstruation and urine, it is also used as an anthelmintic. For these purposes, chopped pepper is taken before meals 3 times a day, 1 gram each.

Magnesium, which is part of the Jamaican pepper, is an essential component for stimulating brain activity. Therefore, eating it is good for the brain.

Restrictions on the use of allspice

Like any substance, allspice has a number of restrictions on use, as well as contraindications. First of all, you can not use this spice of the category of people who haveallergic reaction and individual intolerance to allspice or any of its components.

Anyone who has any kind of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is absolutely not recommended to use it for treatment.

Also, caution should be used allspice during pregnancy, because in large quantities it irritates the digestive tract and can harm the baby. It is advisable to completely exclude it from the diet during this period.

Be he althy!