The key difference between allspice and 5 spice is that allspice is a single spice, whereas 5 spice is a mixture of several spices. Both spices are popular in making various dishes such as curries and stews. 5 spices contain fennel seeds, cloves, star anise, Sichuan pepper, and Chinese pepper. Although allspice is a single spice, it has the flavors of cloves, cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg and can be used as a substitute for all these spices.
Key Takeaways
- Allspice is the dried unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant and has flavors like cloves, cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg.
- 5 Spice is a mixture of fennel seeds, cloves, star anise, Sichuan pepper, and Chinese pepper, and it aims to include all sweet, sour, salty, savory, and bitter flavors together.
- Allspice is popular in Caribbean, Jamaican, and Middle Eastern cuisines, while 5 Spice is popular in Chinese, Asian, Hawaiian, and Vietnamese cuisines.
What is Allspice?
Allspice is the dried unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant. These fruits are plucked when they are unripe and green. Then they are dried in the sun in a way that the essential oils in it do not get destroyed. After this process, the green berries turn brown. They become large peppercorns with a smooth texture.
Pimenta dioica plant, which is about 18m high, is native to Southern Mexico, Greater Antilles, and Central America. At present, it is grown in warm areas of the world. In such areas where these plants are cultivated, their wood and leaves are used for smoking meats. The leaves of this plant resemble bay leaves in texture and cooking. These trees are small and scrubby; however, they can be tall as well. This can be grown both as a greenhouse plant and houseplant.
Allspice has several flavors such as cloves, cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg; therefore, it can be used as a substitute for all these spices. It is popular in the Caribbean, Jamaican and Middle East cuisines. As a substitute, a mixture of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon or ½ teaspoon of ground cloves and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon can be used. Allspice is used in various cuisines to prepare different dishes such as,
Jamaica – jerk seasoning
Arab – main dishes
Middle East – stews, dishes and meat
Mexico – many dishes
Portugal – traditional stews
West Indies – ‘Pimento’ allspice liqueur
Britain – cake, beauty products
Northern Europe and North America – sausage production
USA – desserts and Cincinnati chili
What is 5 Spice?
5 Spice is a mixture of five or more spices. It includes fennel seeds, cloves, star anise, Sichuan pepper, and Chinese pepper. The aim of adding all these spices into one mixture is to get all the sweet, sour, salty, savory, and bitter flavors together. To this, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, and orange peels too can be added. This mixture boosts the tastes of the dishes. Since it has many spices, it is rich in nutritional level as well. It increases the appetite and is good for blood circulation and organ health. It is also good for celiac patients and vegans.
5 Spice is popular in Chinese, Asian, Hawaiian and Vietnamese cuisines. They can be used when cooking fatty meat, duck, goose, pork, and stews as well. In Vietnamese cuisine, it is used as a marinade.
What is the Difference Between Allspice and 5 Spice?
The key difference between allspice and 5 spice is that allspice is a single spice while 5 spice is a mixture of several spices. While allspice is made from the dried fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant, whereas 5 spice is made from a mix of fennel seeds, cloves, star anise, Sichuan pepper and Chinese pepper.
Summary – Allspice vs 5 Spice
Allspice is the dried unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant. Allspice has several flavors like cloves, cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg.  It is famous in the Caribbean, Jamaican and Middle East cuisines. It also comes in both whole and powdered forms. 5 Spice, on the other hand, is a mixture of five or more spices. It comes only in powdered form. It contains fennel seeds, cloves, star anise, Sichuan pepper and Chinese pepper. Because of these spices, it has sweet, sour, salty, savory, and bitter flavors in it. It is popular in Chinese, Asian, Hawaiian, and Vietnamese cuisines. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between allspice and 5 spice.
