Bourbon Gold® Pink Berry Pearls

What are pink berry pearls?

Pink Berry Pearls are the fruit of the tree named Schinus Terebenthifolius, native to South America, but which was introduced by Creole settlers and now grows on the eastern coast of Madagascar. It is also found in Peru, Brazil, South Africa, Reunion Island and New Caledonia.

This tree can measure up to fifteen meters high, but in order to facilitate the harvesting of its fruits, it is forced to stop its growth at three meters. Schinus Terebenthifolius has been confused with the pepper tree for a long time because of its similarities with the pepper tree (especially in terms of its overall appearance and the fruits that grow in clusters). However, it is not part of the large Piper nigrum family, and as such, cannot claim to be a "true pepper".

The fruits of this tree are not peppercorns, but berries grouped in clusters of white flowers at the beginning of their growth, then presenting a more and more vivid pink color as they mature and until they are harvested.

David Vanille's choice: I have chosen to present you with pink berry pearls from Madagascar for their fruity and sweet aroma. Ideal for flavoring your salty or sweet dishes.

The harvest of pink berry pearls from Madagascar

The color speaks, like a signal: it is time to harvest when the berry is dressed in its reddish color, it is able to deliver the substance of its aromatic power. We proceed to the harvest of the Pearls of Pink Berries manually. Then, they are left to dry and finally sorted by hand, in order to guarantee a homogeneous quality. Did you know that? The price of pink berries can be multiplied by 1 to 5 depending on the quality level. The berries are sorted into 3 categories: Grade 1: 5% defect Grade 2: 15% defect Grade 3: 30% defect

The origins of pink berries

Pink berries were discovered in South America. The species Schinus Terebinthifolius is native to Brazil. It was then introduced in different South American countries before being brought to Madagascar in the 19th century.

How to use bourbon pepper in cooking?

With a sugar content higher than that of other spices, and its saturation of aromas, this berry will surprise all palates by its aromatic power while voluptuous. When tasting, you can feel the soft and powerful aromas of pepper and star anise, without any spiciness.

If we tend to recommend the Pink Berries in the preparation of salads, sauces, white meats or fish, it happens that we forget the gustatory magic that they bring in preparations even more "simple" such as in a tea (or an infusion), or in your butter that you use your toast at breakfast!

By letting a few berries infuse in your favorite vinegar or oil, you will obtain original and tasty vinaigrettes.

Want to surprise your guests? Make your own Caribbean salt using these Pink Berries, or even by mixing the Pink Berries with Brazilian Black Pepper, or by preparing your own 5-berry mixture (which you will also find ready to use on my website).

Tip: For a different taste experience, I recommend roasting your Bourbon Pepper berries.

Our recipe ideas with pink berries

Would you like to discover the aromatic sweetness of our pink berry pearls from Madagascar? Here are some recipes that will delight the palates of young and old alike.

The starter: Peaches with tuna and bourbon pepper

Acold appetizer that appeals to children and adults alike, tuna peaches is a sweet and savory recipe. Make a tuna salad with white tuna, a little mayonnaise, a crumbled hard-boiled egg, chives and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish half peaches in syrup with your tuna salad. Add a few pearls of pink berries. Serve chilled.

The dish: Cod fillet with fennel

Cod and fennel go perfectly with pink peppercorns! In this light recipe, we place the cod in baking paper. Add salt and pepper and cover with minced fennel. Add a few roasted pink peppercorns. Moisten with a little white wine. Serve with wild rice.

Dessert: Peppered baked pears

A fruity dessert that will be enhanced by the bourbon pepper. Here, cook your pears in the oven and sweeten them slightly. Add a few berries of pink pepper. Serve with a scoop of Madagascar vanilla ice cream. Bonus: The fruity flavors of the Pink Peppercorns beckon you to pair them with chocolate! Infuse a few berries in a homemade hot chocolate, or incorporate them into a chocolate mousse or cream! The sensation of pepper, the typical sweetness of this berry, without being spicy, will delight the taste buds of young and old.

How to store pink pepper berries

The pink peppercorns of Madagascar are kept dry in an airtight container.