Spicebush Berries Flavor Newsletter
Spicebush berries are the allspice-cardamom combo that forager's love
Spicebush Berries
They’re sometimes called “Appalachian allspice” - though the jury is out as to whether allspice is their closest flavor twin. Like several common whole spices, spiceberries are the whole dried fruit and seed of their parent plant. They’re somewhat woody and floral, with a gentle touch of fruitiness and warmth. I tend to describe them similarly to white peppercorns, but their flavor is usually best suited to replace cardamom or allspice in a recipe.
Spiceberries are shiny and bright red when fresh, but they dry to a matte deep cranberry color. You can crunch on them whole, though they’re usually ground (like peppercorns) to be used in spice blends and baking. I like to use them as the main flavoring agent for granola (like the one pictured atop this Pawpaw Smoothie Bowl), or in place of cardamom in a sweet rice pudding. They lend themselves easily to sweet applications like whipped cream and frosting, but don’t discount their merit in barbecue sauces, dry rubs, and, apparently: potato chips.
Fun fact: spiceberries can even been eaten when they’re unripe and still green. They taste a bit soapy when raw, but I’m always inspired by Mallory O’Donnel’s green spicebush curry. Hear more about Spiceberry flavors and culinary inspiration on The Wild Grocery Podcast.
Get The Recipe
Spicebush Hot Chips! I planned to give you an entree this week, but with New Years right around the corner, I couldn’t resist another party snack. This recipe uses the spicebush flavor (or ground allspice) to balance the heat and addicting tastes of classic potato chip seasonings. Think Old Bay but less herby and more spicy. Make these when you want a quick party snack - or use the seasoning blend on popcorn or tater tots. Here all about the making of this recipe on The Wild Grocery Podcast.
Find the Flavor
Find Dried Spicebush Berries
✓ Wild in the Eastern United States
✓ Online from Integration Acres
✓ Online from YeOlFactoryAromatics
Find Spicebush Products
✓ Spicebush Sugar from YeOlFactoryAromatics
✓ Spiced Honey Drinking Vinegar from Lindera Farms
References & Resources
USDA Plant Guide
Native American Ethnobotany Database Uses
Forager Chef’s Spicebush Cream Cheese Frosting
Ellen Zachos’ Spicebush Berry Article