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Allspice vs. Clove: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 30, 2023
Allspice is a berry from the Pimenta dioica tree, while Clove is a dried flower bud from the Syzygium aromaticum tree.

Key Differences

Allspice, derived from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica plant, is a spice unique in its flavor profile, encapsulating hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Conversely, clove is a distinctive spice that originates from the dried, unopened flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. While allspice offers a multifaceted taste, clove imparts a potent and aromatic sweetness with a spicy kick, making it unmistakable in culinary applications.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Allspice berries are typically small and dark brown, and they are ground to be used as a spice in cooking. Clove, on the other hand, is recognized by its long stem and bulbous, reddish-brown bud, and it can be used whole or ground in various culinary dishes. The visual difference between allspice and clove is marked, with the former appearing as small, rounded berries and the latter as elongated buds.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
The use of allspice is prevalent in Caribbean cuisine, featuring in jerk seasoning and various spice blends. In contrast, clove is a staple in diverse cuisines, from Indian to Indonesian, and is famed for its role in spice mixtures like garam masala and kretek. The versatile nature of allspice allows it to blend seamlessly in both sweet and savory dishes, while the strong and penetrating flavor of clove necessitates more measured use to avoid overpowering a dish.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
In medicinal contexts, both allspice and clove exhibit beneficial properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The eugenol content in clove oil is notably high, rendering it effective for dental pain relief and various medicinal applications. The diversified flavor of allspice and the concentrated sweetness and spiciness of clove make them sought-after spices in culinary arts and healing practices alike.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Comparison Chart

Origin

Dried berries of the Pimenta dioica plant
Dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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Flavor Profile

Mix of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg
Strong, sweet, and spicy
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Appearance

Small, dark brown, rounded berries
Long stem and bulbous, reddish-brown bud
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Use in Cuisine

Prevalent in Caribbean cuisine
Staple in various cuisines including Indian and Indonesian
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Medicinal Properties

Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects
High in eugenol, used for dental pain and other medicinal applications
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023

Allspice and Clove Definitions

Allspice

A spice with a flavor resembling a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
The chef added allspice to the dessert to enhance its flavor profile.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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Clove

A spice derived from the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree.
A few cloves can infuse a hearty warmth into a pot of mulled wine.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023

Allspice

A versatile spice used in both sweet and savory dishes.
A pinch of allspice can elevate the taste of a stew.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Clove

A sweet and spicy flavored spice, used whole or ground.
The aromatic presence of clove enriched the curry's flavor.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023

Allspice

Dried berry of the Pimenta dioica plant used in ground form.
Allspice is a crucial ingredient in Caribbean jerk seasoning.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023

Clove

A staple ingredient in various spice mixtures and cuisines.
Clove is an integral component of the garam masala spice blend.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
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Allspice

A spice known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Allspice oil can be used to alleviate muscle pain.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023

Clove

An evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum) native to the Moluccas and widely cultivated as a source of oil and for its aromatic dried flower buds.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

An evergreen tree (Pimenta dioica) native to the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America, having opposite, simple leaves and white flowers clustered in cymes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

A flower bud of this plant, used whole or ground as a spice.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

The dried, nearly ripe berries of this plant, used as a spice. In both senses also called pimento.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

One of the small sections of a separable bulb, as that of garlic.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

(uncountable) A spice; the dried and ground unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica, thought to combine the flavours of several spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

A past tense of cleave1.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

(countable) Pimenta dioica, an evergreen tree of tropical America with aromatic berries.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

(Archaic)A past participle of cleave1.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

The berry of the pimento (Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus); wild allspice (Lindera benzoin), called also spicebush, spicewood, and feverbush.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

A past tense of cleave2.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

Aromatic West Indian tree that produces allspice berries
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

A very pungent aromatic spice, the unexpanded flower bud of the clove tree.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

Deciduous shrubs having aromatic bark; eastern China; southwestern and eastern United States
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

(countable) A clove tree, of the species Syzygium aromaticum (syn. Caryophyllus aromaticus), native to the Moluccas (Indonesian islands), which produces the spice.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

Ground dried berrylike fruit of a West Indian allspice tree; suggesting combined flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg and cloves
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

(countable) An old English measure of weight, containing 7 pounds (3.2 kg), i.e. half a stone. is this under the correct etymology?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Allspice

An aromatic spice popular in Caribbean cuisine.
The presence of allspice in the marinade gave the dish a distinct flavor.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Clove

One of the small bulbs formed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb.
Clove of garlic, garlic clove, clove of a sea-onion, clove of shallot, cloves of bulbs
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

Cleft.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

A cleft; a gap; a ravine; - rarely used except as part of a proper name; as, Kaaterskill Clove; Stone Clove.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

A very pungent aromatic spice, the unexpanded flower bud of the clove tree (Eugenia aromatica syn. Caryophullus aromatica), a native of the Molucca Isles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

One of the small bulbs developed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb, as in the case of garlic.
Developing, in the axils of its skales, new bulbs, of what gardeners call cloves.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

A weight. A clove of cheese is about eight pounds, of wool, about seven pounds.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

Aromatic flower bud of a clove tree; yields a spice
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

Moderate sized very symmetrical red-flowered evergreen widely cultivated in the tropics for its flower buds which are source of cloves
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

One of the small bulblets that can be split off of the axis of a larger garlic bulb
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

Spice from dried unopened flower bud of the clove tree; used whole or ground
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2022

Clove

Known for its high eugenol content, beneficial for dental pain.
Applying clove oil can provide relief from toothaches.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023

Clove

A potent spice with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Clove tea can help in soothing sore throats due to its antiseptic properties.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023

FAQs

What is the flavor profile of allspice?

Allspice has a flavor resembling a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Is clove used in different cuisines?

Yes, clove is a versatile spice used in various cuisines including Indian, Indonesian, and many more.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Are the medicinal properties of allspice well recognized?

Yes, allspice is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023

Can clove be used for dental pain?

Yes, clove, especially clove oil, is renowned for alleviating dental pain due to its high eugenol content.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Which cuisine prominently features allspice?

Allspice is prominently featured in Caribbean cuisine.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2023

Does clove have a strong flavor?

Yes, clove has a distinctively strong, sweet, and spicy flavor.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Are cloves the buds of a tree?

Yes, cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2023

Is allspice made from a blend of different spices?

No, allspice is a single spice made from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica plant, but its flavor resembles a blend of other spices.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Can allspice be used in savory dishes?

Absolutely, allspice is versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023

Can clove be used in its whole form?

Yes, clove can be used both whole and in ground form depending on the recipe.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023

Does allspice have a similar appearance to cloves?

No, allspice appears as small, dark brown, rounded berries, while cloves have a long stem and a bulbous, reddish-brown bud.
Sara Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera Saeed
Sumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.

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