Origin: Jamaica. Allspice derived its modern name in the 17th Century because it was thought to combine the aromas of several spices. In fact, when the Spaniards reached the Caribbean, they thought they had made it all the way to the spice fields of the East, believing allspice to be pepper. Once they tasted it, they realised they were far short of their goal. Anyway, they liked allspice & named it 'pimentia,' meaning pepper in their native tongue. Allspice went on to develop a wide trading range as its flavour made it a viable substitute for peppercorns & cloves