PIMENTO, in botany. See MYRTUS, of which it is a species.
The fruits are gathered when green, and are exposed to the sun for many days on cloths, frequently shaking and turning them, till thoroughly dry; they take great care they are not wetted by the morning and evening dews; and when thus dried, are sent over to us.
Pimento abounds with a fragrant essential oil, which is separated, in great quantity, in distillation, and is so heavy that it sinks in water. This spice is much used in our foods, and sometimes in medicine: it is, indeed, a very good aromatic, and so well imitates the mixed flavour of all the rest, that it has long been a common practice to make the aqua mirabilis, which was ordered to be distilled from all the spices, of this ingredient alone; and the taste of the water thus made, when carefully done, is so near the genuine, that a very nice palate can only distinguish it.