Kamarupa" wild Assam pepper

What is Assam pepper?

Assam pepper comes to us from India. If you've ever traveled to this country, the name may not be unfamiliar to you. Assam is an Indian region in the north-east of India, close to Bhutan and Bangladesh. Assam pepper is harvested in the Brahmaputra valley. The name is also evocative for tea lovers, as Assam black tea is also a high-quality product with a strong, invigorating taste. A member of the long pepper family, it comes from Piper mullesua, which is a subspecies of Piper longum. Although it belongs to this family, its shorter shape is reminiscent of the blackberry. It shares with the blackberry the wildness that makes it so appealing. When crushed, it resembles small sesame seeds that add flavor to your dishes and seduce even the most expert taste buds.

What does Assam pepper taste like?

Assam pepper is a very complex spice. It has smoky notes and a slight fruity taste, sometimes reminiscent of citrus, especially lime. You'll be seduced by its herbaceous fragrance and freshness, reminiscent of Japanese dashi, the famous broth of Japanese cuisine that is the basis of miso soup. Assam pepper is both powerful and subtle. I urge you to discover it to bring that fresh, peppery note to your cooking.

Harvesting wild Assam pepper from plantations

There are no specific Assam pepper plantations. In fact, like the blackberry, it is above all a wild product. And that's what makes it so appealing. This raw, assertive product, which develops as nature wishes, is everything we love. Assam pepper is harvested in the region of the same name in India. It grows on a climbing vine and develops in bunches. Green pepper, black pepper, white pepper, the color varies depending on when it's harvested and how it's dried. When picked when ripe, it is sun-dried according to ancestral methods. It is this drying that makes all the difference in terms of taste. Assam pepper then develops all its aromas in the most natural way possible.

How to use wild Assam pepper in cooking?

Assam pepper comes in berry form and can be used raw. However, you can also crush it to make mignonette pepper, or grind it to preserve its properties and flavors. It all depends on the dish you're planning. Assam pepper goes perfectly with many ingredients. It's a perfect spice for vegetables such as carrots or heirloom vegetables like Jerusalem artichokes and parsnips. Whether pan-fried or pureed, these vegetables are enhanced by Assam pepper, which gives them both the freshness and full-bodied flavor of pepper. Naturally, Assam pepper can be used in all your meat dishes to stimulate your taste buds: red meat, white meat, accompany your meal with a delicious homemade pepper sauce. Assam pepper also goes well with white fish. Add Assam pepper at the last minute to a veal blanquette that's been simmering for a long time, and it'll change everything. Its fragrant, smoky taste is a perfect accompaniment to desserts. Its wild berries will delicately spice up a chocolate mousse or even a fruit salad. You don't need to use a lot for the aromatic power of this pepper to awaken your taste buds at dessert time.

Recipe ideas with Assam wild pepper

Steak au Poivre sauvage d'Assam: Beef steak, Assam pepper, butter, crème fraîche, cognac

Beet and goat salad with Assam wild pepper: cooked beets, goat cheese, walnuts, green salad, Assam pepper

Pasta with lemon and wild Assampepper : Spaghetti, lemon juice and zest, parmesan, Assam pepper

Roast chicken with Assamwild pepper and honey: Whole chicken, honey, garlic, thyme, Assam pepper

Pumpkin soup with Assamwildpepper : Pumpkin, onion, vegetable broth, cream, Assam pepper

Salmon Tartare with Assamwild pepper : Fresh salmon, avocado, shallot, lime, Assam pepper

Mushroom Risotto with Assamwild pepper : Arborio rice, mushrooms, vegetable broth, parmesan, Assam pepper

Shrimps Flambé with Assamwild pepper : Shrimps, butter, garlic, brandy, Assam pepper

Gnocchi with Parmesan Cream and wild Assampepper : Gnocchi, liquid cream, parmesan, spinach, Assam pepper

Beef Carpaccio with Assamwild pepper : Beef fillet, olive oil, lemon, parmesan, Assam pepper

Gratin Dauphinois with Assamwild pepper : Potatoes, cream, garlic, grated cheese, Assam pepper

Dark chocolate mousse with wild Assampepper : Dark chocolate, eggs, sugar, liquid cream, Assam pepper

Pear and Assampepper tart : Shortcrust pastry, pears, sugar, almonds, Assam pepper

Duck à l'Orange et Poivre sauvage d'Assam: Duck, orange, poultry broth, honey, Assam pepper

Shortbread with wild Assampepper and lemon: Flour, butter, powdered sugar, lemon, Assam pepper

Vegetable skewers with wild Assampepper : Courgettes, peppers, mushrooms, olive oil, Assam pepper

Warm Lentil Salad with AssamWild Pepper : Green lentils, carrots, onion, vinaigrette, Assam pepper

Grilled prawns with wild Assampepper : Prawns, garlic, parsley, olive oil, Assam pepper

Mushroom omelette with Assamwild pepper : Eggs, mushrooms, cheese, chives, Assam pepper

Assamwild pepper and raspberrycheesecake : graham crackers, cream cheese, sugar, raspberries, Assam pepper

Assam pepper preservation

Supplied in a resealable sachet, it can be stored inside at room temperature, protected from light. If you wish to grind it, you can also place it in a pepper shaker, preferably opaque. Origin India, Assam region, Brahmaputra valley Other names for Assam pepper Hill pepper, Piper brachystachyum, Piper guigual Assam pepper: is it pungent? No, Assam pepper is distinguished by its fresh, fruity notes.