Some spices sound very similar, and we hardly recognize how different they are. Thus, in this episode, we will bring you things you need to know about apple pie spice vs allspice.
Apple pie spice is a combination of ground spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and allspice. While on the contrary, allspice is a single element coming as the berry of the Pimenta dioica plant. They have different flavor profiles, properties, and usages in cooking.
So, let’s dive right in for further details about these two seasonal flavorings to clarify your doubts!
Apple pie spice vs allspice- The Drilldown
| Apple Pie Spice | Allspice | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor Profile | Has a more pronounced flavor than allspice, with more cinnamon notes combined with the warm spiciness of ginger and nutmeg, menthol-like hints from cardamom, and hints of allspice. Click on this link to discover something more about the apple pie spice blend. | Less profound than apple pie spice. Allspice has a warm flavor profile with a combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. |
| Fragrance profile | Very aromatic with refreshing, sharp, and sweet fragrant notes. | Has a warmly spicy, sweet smell with notes of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. |
| Forms | It typically comes as a dry, powdered mixture. | Allspice comes as whole berries and as powder. |
| Purpose in cooking | As an ingredient | As an ingredient |
| General use | In baking, cooking, and sometimes used in beauty culture, incorporating it with sugar scrubs. | In cooking and baking |
| Usages in cooking | – Used to make pies and tarts – It is incorporated into puddings, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods or desserts. – Can be blended with smoothies, ciders, and cocktails. – It can be tossed with roasted vegetables and snacks like fries, popcorn, and roasted nuts. – Is a great addition to yogurt, whipped cream, and seasonal fruit salads. | – Whole allspice berries are incorporated into slow-cooked curries, mulled wines, soups, pickles, etc. – Ground allspice is an integral part of many spice and seasoning blends. – Is combined into a wide variety of meat, fish, and other seafood dishes. – Can be mixed into frostings, cookies, puddings, cakes, and other desserts. – Allspice leaves are integrated into traditional Caribbean soups, stews, and sauces. |
| Availability | – Pre-made options can be bought from grocery stores, online shopping sites, and leading supermarkets. – Can also be made at home. | Whole allspice berries and ground allspice are widely available in leading supermarkets, online sellers, and grocery stores. |
| Main featuring cuisines | – European – American | – American – Some parts of the European cuisine – Caribbean – Middle Eastern |
| Origin | Europe | Originated from Southern Mexico, Central America, and The Greater Antilles |
| Storage | Should be stored in a tightly-sealed container in a moisture-free place with zero humidity and no direct sunlight. | Both ground allspice and allspice berries should be stored in air-tight jars/containers in a dark, dry, and cool place. |
Elaborating The Difference Between Apple Pie Spice And Allspice…
As we presented through the table above, the key difference between apple pie spice and allspice comes down to their content. As you see, allspice (although its name is tricky) is a single element, whereas apple pie spice is a combination of several ingredients.
Even though allspice features as one of the ingredients in the apple pie spice blend, these two flavorings are completely two different cooking elements. Apple pie spice typically has a more profound cinnamon flavor and a richer fragrance profile than allspice, and it provides more depth to a wide variety of dishes.
However, these two flavorings have comparable usages in terms of cooking since they are often incorporated as seasonal ingredients (particularly in fall and winter) in Western cuisine. Allspice combines with other spices and herbs in a range of spice and seasoning blends and also adds flavor to many savory, sweet dishes and beverages.
At the same time, apple pie spice remains in its own self, still offering its flavor to desserts, baked goods, beverages, snacks, pasta, etc. Nevertheless, when ground allspice is mixed with ground cinnamon, it can be a great substitute for apple pie spice. But, since the cinnamon taste of apple pie spice is predominant, it cannot be recommended as a good replacement for allspice in many dishes.
