Long Pepper

Apart from the black, white and green pepper we know, long pepper is the only one that can legitimately be called pepper. Its botanical name is Piper, or more precisely Piper retrofractum. This means that it is a climbing plant with roots emerging from its shoots.

It is found from northern India to Indonesia. The fruit clusters, which resemble pussy willows, are harvested and dried at various stages of ripeness. They are then used primarily as a spice, but in India they are also used as a medicinal remedy. It is very important and indispensable for Ayurvedic cuisine.

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. The slender, grey-black fruit is between 3 and 5 cm long. However, it does not grow hanging downwards, as one might expect, but rather proudly and upright on the pepper leaf that comes with it.