Propogation
Allspice can be a small scrubby tree, quite similar to the Bay Laurel in size and form. It can also be a tall, canopy tree, sometimes grown to provide shade for coffee trees that are planted underneath them. It can be grown outdoors in the tropics and subtropics with normal garden soil and watering. Smaller plants can be killed by frost, although larger plants are more tolerant. It adapts well to container culture and can be kept as a houseplant or in a greenhouse. The plant is dioecious, meaning plants are either male or female and hence male and female plants must be kept in proximity in order to allow fruits to develop.
To protect the pimenta trade, the plant was guarded against export from Jamaica. It is reported that many attempts were made at growing the pimenta from seeds, all failed. At one time it was thought that the plant would grow nowhere else except in Jamaica, where the plant was readily spread by birds. Experiments were then performed using the constituents of bird droppings; however, these were also totally unsuccessful. Eventually it was realized that passage through the avian gut, either the acidity or the elevated temperature, was essential for germinating the seeds. Today Pimenta is spread by birds in Tonga and Hawai?i, where it has become naturalized on Kaua?i and Maui.
The pimento tree is indigenous to the Central America and the Caribbean Islands.
The pimento tree, Pimenta dioica, formerly
officinalis, Lindl., belongs to the family Myrtaceae and is
closely related to the Bay Tree and to Cloves. It is an evergreen
tree, medium in size and in favourable locations will attain
heights of from 6 to 15 m. Primary branches are generally formed
about 1-3 m above the ground. Whilst both male and female
varieties will produce blossoms, it is believed that only the
blossoms of the female mature to give berries.
Historic value: the Allspice provides food a preservative quality for meats that enamored the Spanish galleons while at sea. It was found growing in Jamaica by early Spanish explorers who
were quite impressed with the taste and aroma of the berries and
the leaves. Not only was it a pleasant flavor, but it was found to preserve meats which was a great benefit to them at sea. Pimento trees were later discovered in Cuba and were
presumed to have been taken there by migratory birds which had
eaten the berries. They have also been found in Mexico, but it is
Jamaica that has the longest history, having been in continuous
production since the tree was identified in about the year
1509.
The name Pimento originated from the Spanish word "pimienta"
(pepper or peppercorn). To most English speaking people the tree
is called "pimento" and the berries "allspice". The name allspice
originated from the popular notion that the pimento berry
contains the characteristic flavour and aroma of cloves, nutmeg,
cinnamon and pepper, all combined in one spice.
Some notable dates:
| 1601 |
Earliest reference of
the use of pimento in London. |
| 1693 |
Pimento was marketed as
sweet scented Jamaica pepper |
| 1700 |
Population estimated as
40,000 slaves and 7,000 whites |
| 1721 |
Pimento was first listed
in the London Pharmacopoeia. |
| 1739 |
429 sugar estates in
operation in Jamaica |
| 1744 |
Botanic Gardens
established at Bath, St Thomas |
| 1756 |
Official mail service
established between England,
the West Indies and New York |
| 1760 |
West Indian Committee
founded in London |
| 1761 |
Prices in London were
between 6.25-9.25 pence/pound. |
| 1763 |
King's House in Spanish
Town completed |
| 1765 |
Sugar Act passed |
| 1782 |
Cinnamon, Mango (number
11), Jackfruit, Kola, Camphor
Litchi, Turmeric, Rose-Apple and Date Palm introduced. |
| 1783 |
Offer of 100 pounds to
anyone growing more than 200 nutmeg trees |
| 1787 |
Introduction of
Sarsaparilla from Honduras |
| 1789 |
767 sugar estates and
607 coffee plantations in operation |
| 1790 |
Introduction of cow
peas |
| 1791 |
Introduction of maize,
the afou, acom and Guinea yams |
| 1793 |
Captain Bligh introduced
Breadfruit (about 347 plants) and ackee |
| 1796 |
Introduction of Otaheite
apple and Bourbon cane by Bligh |
| 1797 |
Exports of coffee to
Britain nearly 7 million lbs. |
| 1800 |
Population estimated as
300,000 slaves and 20,000 whites |
| 1803 |
Kingston made a
Corporate City |
| 1826 |
Population recorded as
336,927 |
| 1829 |
First great cattle fair
held in St Ann |
| 1836 |
The Bank of Jamaica
formed |
| 1838 |
Total emancipation 1st
August |
| 1840 |
Zebu cattle
imported. |
| 1843 |
East Indian immigration
started |
|
Central Agricultural
Society of Jamaica founded |
|
Indian cattle
imported. |
| 1844 |
Hereford bulls
imported |
| 1845 |
15 mile stretch of
railroad built
the oldest British colonial railroad |
| 1850 |
First cases of Asiatic
cholera occurred |
| 1854 |
Royal Society of Arts
formed and products
sent to the Paris exhibition |
| 1858 |
First issue of Jamaica
postage stamp |
| 1859 |
Land purchased for the
Castleton Botanic Garden |
| 1860 |
First shipment of
Cinchona seeds to Jamaica from Kew Gardens |
| 1863 |
Castleton Gardens
started. Toll gates abolished. |
| 1869 |
Fruit trade with the
United States started
High alumina soils reported |
| 1871 |
Sixty varieties of sugar
cane imported from Mauritius
and planted at Castleton gardens |
| 1872 |
Mongoose imported from
India |
| 1873 |
Victoria market
opened |
| 1874 |
Cayenne pineapple
introduced |
| 1876 |
Street cars started in
Kingston |
| 1881 |
Panama canal
construction started |
| 1882 |
Strawberry plant
imported,
strict controls on cutting of pimento saplings |
| 1885 |
railroad extended to
Porus and Ewarton |
| 1890's |
American syndicate
extended the railroad to Montego Bay and Port Antonio |
| 1891 |
Irish potatoe
cultivation started |
| 1893 |
Bahama grass, Alfalfa,
Cherry, Apricot and Orange introduced |
| 1895 |
Jamaica Agricultural
Society formed |
| 1908 |
Vere sugar factory
started
The largest quantity of pimento produced 11,147 metric ton. |
| 1910 |
Wireless telegraph
station established |
| 1911 |
77 sugar estates in
operation |
| 1920 |
Manufacture of oil from
pimento leaves started |
| 1926 |
Duckenfield sugar
factory started |
| 1980 |
Smallest quantity of
pimento produced, 888 metric ton. |
Medicinal Properties
Allspice was included in the British Codex from 1721-1914. It was principally an aromatic stimulant and carminative, good for flatulence, indigestion and hysterical paroxyms. Aqua pimentae was an ingredient in stomach and purgative medicines, and also played a part in the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia. The powdered berries have been used for dyspepsia and also to disguise the taste of disagreeable medicines.
At the end of the nineteenth century, it became fashionable to
have umbrellas made of pimento. The great demand led to wanton
cutting of the saplings and it was only through strict controls
legislated in 1882 and equally strict enforcement of them that
saved the young pimento trees from disappearing altogether.
References
Much of this information was obtained from "PIMENTO - A short
economic history" by D.W. Rodriquez and published by the
Agricultural Information Service, Jamaica 1969.
Another useful source is "The Book of Spices" by F.
Rosengarten, Jr. Livingston Publishing Co., Wynnewood,
Pennsylvania, 1969.
Chemistry of pimento
Pimento is the major spice produced in Jamaica, and Jamaica is
still one of its' chief producers. The quality of pimento is
rated by the amount of oil it contains and the composition of the
oil. Jamaica pimento contains about 4% volatile oil and the
eugenol content varies from 30-90%.
