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Allspice Vs 5 Spice: What's The Difference? By Alexa Valme Sept. 21, 2025 5:39 pm EST

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Walk into almost any kitchen and you'll find a jumble of jars with names that sound deceptively similar. Case in point: allspice and five-spice. At first glance, they seem like they could be interchangeable — both warm, aromatic seasonings that show up in everything from baked goods to braised meats. But despite the confusion, these two could not be more different. Knowing the distinction is not just trivia for culinary purists. It is practical knowledge that can prevent a recipe from veering wildly off-course.

For many, the mix-up happens when they are flipping through a list of spice substitutes for home chefs . A pinch of the wrong powder can shift a dish fro

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