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Allspice

Allspice is a member of the myrtle family, grown primarily in Jamaica. The berry is a sort of reddish-greenish-brown, and is about the size of a pea. Allspice was brought back to Europe by none other than Christopher Columbus, who mistakenly thought it was pepper (hence the latin name). The allspice tree grows about 30 feet tall (9 meters), and is an evergreen with dark green shiny leaves and clusters of small white flowers.

Allspice is the only spice of any major consequence that is still grown almost entirely on the Carribean islands. It's used in catsup, pickles, baking, and in men's spice-type colognes.

Allspice tastes like a combination of spices -- cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg -- which is why it got its common name.

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