At first I didn't really want to believe that long pepper actually belongs to the pepper family - with this appearance. But the fact is: Along with the black, white and green pepper we know, it is the only pepper that can legitimately bear this name. Because its botanical name is also a Piper, more precisely a Piper retrofractum.
What does long pepper look like?
It is considered to be the first type of pepper to reach Europe in ancient times. And it was known long before the black pepper that is commonly used today. Long pepper looks different from the familiar small peppercorns. It has an elongated, tubular shape and is also called stick pepper. Long pepper is about 3 - 5 cm long. The color varies from light brown to dark brown and sometimes it also has rusty or reddish tones.
Like a pussy willow
However, it does not grow hanging downwards as one might expect, but rather stands proudly and upright on the pepper leaf that comes with it. It is surprising how little the long pepper is known in our region, as it is actually the oldest known in Europe. The reason why it is hardly known here today may be due to its peculiar aroma, which does not suit everyone's taste.
During the Roman Empire
The Romans, on the other hand, valued this pepper plant very highly. So much so that they were prepared to pay three times the price for regular black pepper. The reason why this pepper was later almost completely forgotten may have something to do with the discovery of America and thus the discovery of chili. Or perhaps also with the fact that at that time it was more susceptible to spoilage and rot during transport because it contains more moisture.
Long pepper grows in Indonesia, India and also Cambodia.
What does long pepper taste like?
Unlike regular black pepper, long pepper is both hot and sweet - similar to a mixture of white pepper, nutmeg or cardamom. This gives dishes a very special flavor. It can be used instead of black pepper, or in addition to it. It is much hotter than black or white pepper. On its own in the mouth it is extremely hot and leaves a tingling and slightly numbing aftertaste.
How do I use long pepper?
I love using long pepper in sweet desserts. The broken peppercorns are delicious on caramelized pineapple or in a pomegranate-pepper cocktail, for example. It is also good to use in spice mixtures such as Ras el-Hanout. On its own - used sparingly - it goes very well with scallops, game or roast lamb. Indian cooks use long pepper to season delicious raw vegetable pickles (achar), while Indonesians and Malaysians simmer it in boiling spicy curries. It is also very important and indispensable for Ayurvedic cuisine with its various churnas.
How do I grind long pepper?
It is best to grind long pepper in a mortar. Never try to grind it in a pepper mill because it will resist and become difficult. If you want to use it in a mill, break the pepper into two or three small pieces beforehand, then the mill will have no trouble.
Buy long pepper here
