Mixed spice and allspice are terms that are very confusing for some people because of their connotations. There are many people who think of a concoction consisting of many spices when they hear the word allspice while mixed spice is a term that reminds some people of something that is a mixture of spices. This article takes a closer look at the meaning of these two terms to come up with their differences.
Allspice
Allspice is not something containing many spices but a single spice that is derived from the fruit of the plant called Pimenta dioica. It is actually the fruit of the plant that is unripe and green but dried to turn brown in color. The spice was given the name allspice because of the fact that it contains the aromas of spices like cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Mixed Spice
Mixed spice, as the name implies, is a mixture of spices that contain cinnamon, all spice, and nutmeg though it may contain many other spices.
What is the difference between Mixed Spice and Allspice?
• Allspice is a single spice whereas mixed spice is a mixture of spices.
• Allspice is the dried fruit of a plant grown in warm climates though it is native to Mexico and other places in North America and Central America.
• People get confused because of the similar aromas of allspice and mixed spice
• Allspice is also called Jamaica Pepper.
• The reason it is so called is because of combined flavors and aromas.
• Mixed spice contains allspice, and it is an ingredient among several other spices.
• Mixed spice may contain a mixture in no fixed proportion.
• Mixed spice cannot be substituted for allspice.