Gama Allspice – 100 g

Warm, sweet and gently peppery, allspice is the quiet secret behind many of Turkey's most fragrant dishes. This 100g pack from Gama gives you a generous supply of the spice that home cooks reach for when making stuffed vegetables, festive pilafs and well-seasoned meatballs.

One Spice, Many Flavours

Allspice comes from the dried berries of a tropical evergreen tree. Its English name reflects its unusual aroma, which seems to combine cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and black pepper in a single spice. In Turkey it is known as yenibahar, literally new spice, a nod to the fact that it arrived from the Americas centuries after the classic spices of the Silk Road.

Despite being a newcomer, it quickly found a permanent place in Ottoman and Turkish kitchens, where its warmth pairs beautifully with rice, lamb, onions, currants and pine nuts.

Many Turkish cooks say a dish without a pinch of it tastes somehow unfinished, especially stuffed vegetables. It is one of those spices you may not notice on its own, but you would certainly miss if it were left out. That subtle background warmth is exactly what gives traditional home cooking its comforting, familiar flavour.

The Signature Spice of Festive Rice

If you have ever eaten iç pilav, the aromatic rice served at weddings, Bayram feasts and special family dinners, you have tasted allspice at its best. The rice is cooked with butter, onions, toasted pine nuts, currants, chopped liver or nuts and a mixture of warm spices, with this one taking centre stage. The same spiced rice is used to fill chicken, turkey and lamb for celebrations, and to stuff vine leaves, peppers and mussels.

A Simple Spice Mix for Rice

• 1 teaspoon of the spice
• Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• Half a teaspoon of black pepper
• A pinch of sugar and salt to taste
• A teaspoon of dried mint, added at the end

Perfect for Köfte

A pinch also works wonders as köfte seasoning. Mixed into minced lamb or beef with onion, garlic, cumin, parsley and breadcrumbs, it adds depth and a subtle sweetness that makes homemade meatballs taste like they came from a traditional köfteci. It is also lovely in moussaka, stuffed aubergines and slow-cooked lamb stews.

More Ways to Use Allspice

• Add to the rice filling for dolma and sarma.
• Stir into tomato sauces and meat sauces for warmth.
• Use in marinades for lamb, chicken or beef.
• Bake into spiced cakes, biscuits and fruit loaves.
• Add to pickling liquids and mulled drinks.

Because the flavour is strong, start with a small amount and add more to taste. A little goes a long way, so this pack will last for many meals.

Storage

Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from light and heat. Spices lose their aroma over time, so for the best flavour, use within the date shown on the pack. Please check the label for full allergen information.

Order Online From Robin Food

Robin Food delivers Turkish spices across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London areas. Complete your spice cupboard with our sumac, sweet red pepper flakes and baldo rice for perfect pilaf.