Comet's Tail Black Pepper

Known to the West since the Middle Ages as Cubeb pepper and on the island of Java as Comet's Tail or "kemukus", the fat berries of Piper cubeba mature to a brilliant yellow-red before they are hand-harvested and allowed to dry on bamboo mats in the tropical sun. The flavor is that of traditional black pepper yet with a slight bitterness to the heat and an aroma that can be likened to allspice due to hints of nutmeg, camphor and clove. In Java, Comet's Tail Pepper is used as an alternative for black pepper in curry blends. Try grinding Comet's Tail Pepper over meats, cheeses and vegetables to impart its unique warming aroma or use in place of allspice to add peppery heat.