Pimento leaves balance an intense heat with the warm, comforting facets of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Its scent is spicy and hot—adding a pungent pop of pepper to a number of exciting accords.
Pimento leaves derive from the Pimenta dioica, a mid-canopy tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America. Nowadays, the tree can be found in many parts of the world. Its shiny leaves are deeply green and equally fragrant. To obtain their essence, a process of steam distillation takes place—capturing the unique scent of pimento leaves so that clever noses can mix and mingle the spicy scent into a myriad of interesting accords.
Native to the Caribbean, the beloved pimento tree was found growing in Jamaica by early Spanish colonialists who were bewildered by the unique taste and aroma of its berries and leaves. Thus, the name “Pimento” originates from the Spanish word “pimienta” (which translates to “pepper” or “peppercorn”). Meanwhile, the name “allspice” was coined by the English, who prized the spice for tasting like an explosion of all three flavors: cinnamon, nutmeg and clove alike.
Jamaica
Estée Lauder
