Pimento, a species of Pimenta dioica, is mainly cultivated in Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras and Trinidad. It was first identified in Jamaica in 1509.
Most Europeans refer to the tree as pimento and the berries as allspice. Caribbean's know these dried berries as pimento. The word pimento originates from the Spanish word 'pimienta' which means pepper or peppercorn.
The pimento berries has a spicy mixed aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and juniper, this is why it is sometimes referred to as allspice.
The pimento tree itself is traditionally used as wood for jerk barbeques in Jamaica and is closely related to the bay tree.
Pimento spice is used in most Caribbean cooking, from jerk seasoning to soups.
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