We don’t literally have to explain the irresistible savor that food brings when matched with suitable spices, herbs, and other ingredients. Allspice and cloves are such a pair that pats their charm on your plate with flavor, aroma, and texture. They can be pretty similar in taste. But still, allspice vs cloves can have some distinctive differences.
Cloves and allspice are both spices used in sweet and savory dishes and many types of beverages together. They have a similarity in flavor and come from the same botanical family. Despite these facts, they have some significant differences too.
So, let us share the unknown facts of two known spices that you use extensively in your pantry. And still, if you are an amateur in the world of spices, SpiceRally warmly welcomes you as you can learn everything about these two flavorings from the beginning!
Allspice Vs Cloves- In What Aspects Do They Differ?
Both cloves and allspice are zenith flavor enhancers that contribute utmostly to your meals through their flavor and aroma. They always get a special place as warming spices in our kitchens.
Allspice and cloves tend to share a lot of things in common, including the resemblances in their flavor profiles. Moreover, they carve up the same plant family and are employed together in food that has a similar flavor profile.
Interestingly, the essential oil content of allspice contains the chemical compound Eugenol, which is also present in the cloves. This is the reason for both of them to have the same flavor and aroma. If you are not familiar with these two spices, you may even tend to confuse the taste of allspice and cloves, failing to make head or tail of which one.
But now, you are just about to be a pro on these two spices individually! Make the maximum use of the table we present to you down below to grasp everything you need to know about allspice vs cloves.
| Allspice | Cloves | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor Profile | Warm, sweet, and somewhat earthy. It actually has a flavor combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg with a trace of peppery note as in black pepper | Powerfully flavored with a subtly bitter-sweet, warm, astringent, pungent, and intense bite. |
| Fragrance Profile | Earthy as cinnamon and fresh as cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. It technically has an aroma medley of these three spices. | Intensely and uniquely aromatic, warm, pungent, sweet-spicy with fruity notes. |
| Forms available and used | It can be bought and used as whole dried berries or in powdered form. | Available in both types- whole cloves and ground cloves. But whole cloves are the most employed variety in cooking. |
| Dishes or food that pair well | Seasoning blends Desserts Marinades Spice blends Dry spice rubs Apples Sweet potatoes Slow-cooked Curries Soups Stews | Spice rubs Spiced puddings Meat dishes Curries Rice dishes Eggnog Spice blends Seasonings Soups Mulled wine |
| Culinary use | – As a spice – Used as a sprinkle over yogurt and coffee | – As a spice – Also used as a culinary art or freshener |
| Parts of the plant involved in culinary use | Dried berries and leaves | Clove pods. |
| Nutrition per 100g | Calories- 263 Saturated fat- 2.6g Total Carbohydrates- 72g Protein- 6g Sodium- 77mg Dietary Fiber- 22g | Calories- 323 Saturated fat- 5.438g Total Carbohydrates- 61.21g Protein- 5.98g Sodium- 243mg Dietary Fiber- 34.2g |
| Health benefits | – Rich in antioxidants – Possesses Antibacterial, Antifungal, cancer-fighting, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-proliferative, Apoptosis, Anesthetic, Antiseptic properties – Treats digestive and gut health issues like diarrhea – Relieves menopausal symptoms – Treats oral-related health issues | – Rich in antioxidants – Contain antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, and antispasmodic properties. – Clove essential oil is excellent for oral-related health issues like toothache and gum bleeding. – It is a natural mouth-freshener that prevents bad breath – Treats gastrointestinal issues like nausea abdominal pain, cough, and diarrhea |
| Availability | Readily available as whole berries and powdered form in leading supermarkets, local grocery stores, and can be bought from online sellers. | Readily available as whole pods or in powdered form in leading supermarkets, local grocery stores, and online shops. |
| Shelf life | – Whole allspice berries can have a fresh shelf life for up to three to four years when stored appropriately. – When stored in the same way, ground allspice can have a good shelf life for up to two to three years. | – When properly stored, whole cloves will stay flavorful and aromatic for up to three to four years. – Ground cloves will remain well for up to two to three years when stored properly. |
| Storage | Whole allspice berries and ground allspice should be stored well inside an air-tight glass container/jar in a dry, cool. A dark place where zero humidity, direct light, or no moisture hits. | Both whole clove pods and ground cloves should be stored in air-tight glass containers in a cool, dry, dark place where zero humidity, moisture, and no direct light get in contact. |
| Main featuring cuisines | The Caribbean Middle Eastern Some parts of the European Cuisine The American | Indonesian Sri Lankan Indian Chinese The American European |
| Appearance | Small, round, brownish seed-like dried berries | Small, nail-like, or pin-like reddish-brown buds |
| Other names | Jamaica pepper Pimenta Pimento Myrtle pepper | N/A |
| Plant Family | Myrtaceae | Myrtaceae |
| Scientific name | Pimenta dioica | Syzygium aromaticum |
| Origin | Central America, The Greater Antilles, and Southern Mexico. | The Maluku Islands or the Moluccas in Indonesia. |
| Allspice | Cloves |
Allspice Vs Cloves- Usage In Cooking
Cloves and allspice are warm and hearty spices that call and go really well with sweet and sour dishes, certain drinks, spice blends, and seasonings. If you observe the table above carefully, you should notice that dishes and food that allspice and cloves go well with are pretty similar.
Once in a while, you need to sprinkle some warm spices like Allspice, Cloves or Nutmeg in your own food; just to remind yourself that you are worth being a cozy person.
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However, the flavor of cloves is not as complex as allspice. But, it is rather sharp, intense, and astringent, giving a unique taste to the food they are added to. Cloves have the ability to overpower the overall flavor of a particular dish if overused. In contrast, the overpowering quality of allspice is comparatively less than cloves due to its subtle flavor profile.
Cloves are mostly called for a lot of meat dishes and we see that South Asian cuisines employ this spice in many of their rice dishes. It is also used in some signature spice blends like Baharat (Middle Eastern 7 Spice Mix) and Garam Masala.
Allspice, on the other hand, contributes to many spice blends and seasonings like the famous Jamaican Jerk Seasoning. And it also comes in handy with a number of desserts, soups, and sweet baked goods from Middle Eastern and American cuisines.
Make sure you stop by here to get enlightened by the facts we have for you about allspice. We have everything you want in just one feature!
Cloves and allspice pair well with a set of common other spices such as cinnamon, coriander, ginger, and nutmeg. Nevertheless, they add flavor and aroma to food, empowering their taste and fragrance portrayals marking their own territory in your meals.
Can Allspice Be Substituted With Cloves And Vice Versa?
Actually speaking, cloves are a good option when you want a substitution for allspice. They have an intimate flavor resemblance and also come from the same plant family. Thus, thanks to these likenesses, they both can be excellent substitutes for each other.
If in case, you intend to use cloves in place of allspice, you should remember that the flavor of cloves is far stronger and more into a bitter note. Thus, you will have to use cloves a little bit less in amount. We, in fact, suggest that it would be best if you accompany it with cinnamon and nutmeg to get the best flavor approximation. And if you use it alone, be mindful of the quantities depending on the dish you make.
Are you interested in knowing more about allspice substitutes? Just tap here; we have 7 of them listed for you!
It goes the same way round if you substitute allspice in place of cloves. Just like cloves are more intense than allspice, allspice has a more complex flavor profile than cloves. Keeping that in mind, you can adjust and alter amounts, either replacing whole cloves with whole allspice berries or ground cloves with powdered allspice and vice versa.
Waving Goodbye With Two Warm Spice Companions…
So, this is pretty much with allspice vs cloves! These two spices actually have a lot in common, as we stated at the beginning of our article. They share the same family relationship and even have a flavor similarity.
Despite these similarities, they are unique and powerful in their own way and have the capacity to flavor and aromatize your meal distinctively.
Hence, you will never regret having a container or two from each of these in your spice cabinet (you can thank us later!)
