Witchy Wednesday - Allspice
Witchy Wednesday - Allspice Allspice also called Pimento is the dried unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica, a tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America, now cultivated in many warm parts of the world. The Fresh leaves are similar in texture to bay leaves and similarly used in cooking. Leaves and wood are often used for smoking meats where allspice is a local crop. The allspice tree attains a height of about 30 feet. Small white flowers, and later the berries, green at first, then purplish-red, grow in clumps. The name "allspice" was used as early as 1621 by the English, who thought it combined the flavour of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Allspice was used by the Mayans as an embalming agent and by other native South Americans to flavour chocolate. It is used in Jamaican jerk seasoning (the wood is used to smoke jerk in Jamaica, although the spice is a good substitute), in moles, and in pickling; it is also an ingredient in commercial sausage preparations and curry powders. In the United States, it is used mostly in desserts, but it is also responsible for giving Cincinnati-style chilli its distinctive aroma and flavour. Allspice is commonly used in Great Britain, and appears in many dishes, including cakes and also in beauty products. In Poland, allspice is used in a variety of dishes, including savoury foods like deli meats, soups, marinades and pickles, and to a lesser extent in desserts and fruit drinks. Even in many countries where allspice is not very popular in the household, as in Germany, it is used in large amounts by commercial sausage makers. Allspice (P. dioica) was encountered by Christopher Columbus on the island of Jamaica during his second voyage to the New World, and named by Diego Álvarez Chanca. It was introduced into European and Mediterranean cuisines in the 16th century. It continued to be grown primarily in Jamaica, though a few other Central American countries produced allspice in comparatively small quantities. Magickally carry the whole berries in your pocket to improve your chances on interview or winning clients and making sales. Some people carry a cloth packet of Allspice berries on their person to ease their minds when they are under stress. Sprinkle the powder across a place of business or dust the hands when you want to succeed. If you have way to a living Allspice tree, crush a leaf between your fingers and rub a little behind your ears when preparing to go on a date or interview. It’s guaranteed to make you more appealing. Allspice is very uplifting and increases energy and determination making it useful in many different types of spells, especially healing spells. The dried berries, oil, or allspice incense can be burned to aid in spells for attracting money and/or luck. The berries can also be added to sachets for attracting the same. Allspice is useful in all healing mixtures.
