Plus, how to substitute if you’re out. Whether making a dry rub for barbecue or warming up a batch of mulled cider for a holiday spread, you'll find plenty of reasons to use allspice in the kitchen.

Because of its name, I used to think allspice was a mixture akin to five-spice, ras el hanout, quatre epices and shichimi. It does actually taste somewhat like a blend of strong, aromatic spices ...

Add the chicken strips and ground allspice and stir until the ingredients are well combined and coated in the allspice. Continue to fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the spices are fragrant.

Peel and evenly chop 4 apples. Add to a saucepan with the lemon zest and juice, sugar, apple spice mix (see below) or use ground allspice or nutmeg, the split vanilla bean and apple juice.