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Where do Christmas spices come from?
Here are some notes on a few so-called “Christmas spices.” Cinnamon is the dried inner bark of an evergreen tree found in Ceylon and Sri Lanka. A variety with which we are most likely familiar is cassia cinnamon from China and Indonesia When cut from the trees, cinnamon sticks (called quills) curl.
Is nutmeg a Christmas spice?
Nutmeg, ground and baked into gingerbread, calms and harmonizes. Nutmeg is a beautiful Christmas spice that should be used sparingly due to its strong flavor. Allspice – used as a powder or berry – is not only a fine Christmas spice for baked apples or cookies. It also gives many other dishes additional a tasty flavor.
What spices are for Christmas?
Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger have all become synonymous with Christmas.
Why is cinnamon associated with Christmas?
Along with nutmeg, ginger and cloves, cinnamon is Christmas in a scent. The reason for this probably has its roots in its Medieval use. As it was used so much for preservative reasons, it was important that there would be enough cinnamon during the large feast occasions.
What spices are in the cinnamon family?
The dried berries have the flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are native to the Spice Islands of the East Indies and belong to the same family as allspice, the Myrtaceae.
Why are spices used at Christmas?
As a Christmas spice, it is found in gingerbread, honey cake, biscuits and more. Anise ensures that treats are easier to digest as it calms the stomach and the intestines. The rich flavour of the spice means it can be used in many dishes as it tastes like a combination of nutmeg, cloves, pepper and cinnamon.
Is cinnamon a Christmas spice?
Cinnamon is a fragrant spice frequently used during the Christmas and holiday season. Now one of the most common of all spices, cinnamon has a long history.
What spices smell Christmas?
What Scents Smell Like Christmas?
- Cinnamon sticks.
- Fresh or dried apple slices.
- Vanilla extract.
- Allspice.
- Fresh or dried mint.
- Chai tea.
- Lavender.
- Rosemary.
Is all spice the same as mixed spice?
Allspice is the dried, unripe berry from a tropical evergreen tree, Pimenta dioica, which is native to the Caribbean and parts of the central Americas. Unlike Allspice, which is a single spice, Mixed Spice is a blend of several spices, including Cinnamon, Coriander Seed, Caraway, Nutmeg, Ginger and Cloves.
Why is it called allspice?
The “allspice” name was coined because Englishmen in the 17th century believed that the spice tasted like a mixture of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The most pronounced flavor note in allspice is that of cloves, which keeps it from being as sweet as nutmeg.
What is the difference between nutmeg and allspice?
The most pronounced flavor note in allspice is that of cloves, which keeps it from being as sweet as nutmeg. Allspice has a relatively complex flavor, which is evidenced by the fact that it is likened to three different spices. Nutmeg’s flavor differs by being somewhat simpler and the fact that it has a unique and quite pungent aroma.
What is a good substitute for allspice?
Nutmeg can be used to replace allspice, but you may not want to use it alone. For best results, combine nutmeg with cinnamon and cloves to get a better approximation of the allspice flavor.
Can I substitute allspice for nutmeg in apple pie?
Allspice is a little too savory and bitter to serve as a nutmeg substitute by itself in many sweet applications. While it could be used in combination with other spices in an apple pie, it may not work as a replacement for nutmeg in a dish where the nutmeg is the primary spice.