There are two distinct definitions for pimento. One is a variety of pimento seeds pepper, much like a red bell pepper. The other is a spice that originated in Jamaica, also known as allspice.

Although many people may think they are unfamiliar with one or both kinds of pimentos, the reality is that they may have consumed them through a variety of recipes without realizing it. The Jamaican pimento is a small, pungent, round spice that is used to add flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Small and sweet, the red cherry pepper pimento is used as a spice in a variety of meals and drinks, including pimento cheese and martinis. Is Amazon actually giving you a competitive price? This little known plugin reveals the answer. Pimento peppers are large and heart-shaped with a bright red color.

How to Make Pimento Cheese Pimento cheese is an incredibly easy recipe to prepare, and you only need ten minutes to make a pimento cheese spread. For a simple pimento cheese spread, you’ll need two cups of sharp cheddar, eight ounces of softened cream cheese, half a cup of mayonnaise, one four-ounce jar of pimentos, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and jalapeno if you enjoy a little spice. Pimento cheese may be a southern favorite, but it may not be a healthy addition to your menu. Cheese, cream cheese, and mayonnaise are typically high-fat and high-calorie foods. While this is true for most recipes and varieties of pimento cheese, there are light or low-fat swaps that cooks can make to lower the fat content of their pimento cheese spread. Cooks can opt to use low-fat cheese and plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Cooks can also swap out half of the mayonnaise for a combination of low-fat mayonnaise and plain Greek yogurt to maintain a texture and taste that more closely resembles original pimento cheese recipes.