Cubeb pepper

Piper cubeba

spice

Tailed peppercorns with a peppery, resinous, minty taste, in Moroccan ras el hanout and Indonesian spice blends.

Origin

Java and Sumatra

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The berries are ground or pounded just before use, tail and all, like pepper; a pinch is enough, in a spice blend or over a dish.

Did you know?

In the Middle Ages, it was as prized as black pepper in Europe, before almost disappearing from kitchens.