Quatre épices is a spice mix used mainly in French cuisine, but can also be found in some Middle Eastern kitchens. Its name is French for “four spices”; it is considered the French allspice. The spice mix contains ground pepper (white, black, or both), cloves, nutmeg, and dried ginger. In French cooking, it is typically used in soup, ragout and pot-cooked dishes, vegetable preparations, and charcuterie, such as pâté, sausages, and terrines.