Horopito

Pseudowintera colorata

spice

Red-speckled leaves, dried and ground into a hot, warming pepper that slightly numbs the tongue.

Origin

New Zealand

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The powder is used by the pinch, like a strong pepper, at the end of cooking or over the dish; a fresh leaf is chopped very fine.

Did you know?

Its bite comes from polygodial, a molecule that also repels insects.