Brazilian ground black pepper - Premium quality

What is Brazilian black pepper?

The Brazilian black pepper I present to you comes from the original region of pepper production: Espirito Santo. The variety I'm offering you is a pepper that not only respects my imperatives in terms of quality and flavour, but is also a perfect reflection of what Brazilian black pepper is all about, respecting its traditions and origins. This variety of ground Brazilian black pepper comes from the Piper Nigrum plant.

Harvesting Brazilian black pepper

Brazilian black pepper grows on an evergreen vine. Some can reach 4 m in height. This pepper plant belongs to the Piperaceae family. Its vines produce bunches on which the pepper berries are found.

Pepper differences: white, green, black

The difference in color between peppers results from their level of ripeness at harvest.

• Black pepper is harvested when the berry is still red. It turns black as it dries. It offers powerful aromas.
• Green pepper is harvested when the berry is still immature. More fruity and less pungent than black pepper, it can be preserved in brine.
• White pepper is red pepper that has been soaked in salted water. It is rubbed to remove the skin, which gives it its white color. It is not very powerful.

Did you know? worldwide black pepper production is close to 400,000 tons. Brazil is the 4th-largest pepper-producing country, with some 40,000 tonnes of pepper produced annually. Today, Brazil exports up to 85% of its black pepper production.

The origins of Brazilian black pepper

It was in the 17th century, on the docks of the ports of Salvador de Bahia and Porto Seguro, that the first Piper nigrum plants arrived in Brazil. They were introduced to the country by the Portuguese.

The mountainous, tropical climate of the Bahia region was perfect for developing pepper plantations. They first developed in the Bahia region, then in Espirito Santo.

How do I use my Brazilian black pepper powder in cooking?

With this selection of black pepper, the visual aspect wasn't what was most important to me. Unlike a Kampot, which has to be immaculate, I really wanted something more "original", simple and distinctive. Here, you erase everything you thought you knew, close your eyes and let your heart and palate guide you.

That's how I came to choose this batch of Espirito Santo Black Pepper.

This black pepper with its warm palate will quickly become your everyday pepper. It will allow you to discover a "fresh" quality.

A perfect companion to salt, you can use it in all kinds of savoury dishes: meat, fish, vegetables, sauces, cold meats..

It works wonders added generously to breadcrumbs or mixed with hazelnuts, then used as breadcrumbs to coat chicken, cheese or tofu.

It's the star ingredient of Italian pepper pasta, called cacio e pepe, and pepper steak, but it's also a perfect accompaniment to duck breast, shrimps or mushrooms.

It's also ideal for simmered dishes, as long as you don't add it too soon to preserve the flavors of the other ingredients.

It's best toadd ground black pepper at the end of cooking, especially for dishes that need to simmer for more than two hours.

Tip! for a truly fragrant pepper to suit your taste, you can blend different origins in your pepper mill, such as Timut pepper from Nepal with notes of Yuzu and Grapefruit.

Our recipe ideas using Brazilian black pepper powder

The starter: Homemade cheese croquette

A gourmet starter that will delight cheese lovers! Take a ball of mozzarella or a soft cheese such as "Abbaye". Roll it in egg yolk, then in breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and my Brazilian black pepper powder. Cook in hot oil until golden brown. Serve with a salad dressing. Delicious! This cheesy starter can also be made with a strong cheese: Munster or Herve.

The dish: Chinese ravioli soup

A Chinese recipe in which black pepper powder is the ingredient that gives it all its character. Make a simple soup with spring onions, bok choy and Chinese cabbage. Season with ground black pepper. Dip the ravioli stuffed with pork into the soup. Cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Serve.

Dessert: Spiced strawberry salad

A zero-calorie fruit dessert that seduces with the naturally sweet taste of strawberries and the slightly spicy edge of ground black pepper. Chop your strawberries. Make a strawberry coulis with half of them and pepper it with my Brazilian black pepper powder. Serve the quartered strawberries in a dish and add the coulis. Place in the fridge. Serve chilled.

How do I store black pepper powder?

Brazilian black pepper is best stored in an airtight tin. Store in a dark, dry place.