Pepper of Paradise

What is the pepper of paradise?

The pepper of paradise, also known as maniguette, comes fromEthiopia. It is also produced in Ivory Coast and Guinea, so it is sometimes called Guinea pepper. Like many of the peppers I offer on my online spice store, it is a fake pepper. But what exactly is a fake pepper? It is a spice that bears this name without belonging to the family of piper negrum. The pepper of paradise belongs to the family of zingiberaceae. It is a family of flowering plants to which belong ginger, cardamom, turmeric, galanga or zedoary. This spice has been called pepper of paradise since the Middle Ages. Indeed, at that time, the maniguette was very popular in France. However, no one knew where it came from, so it was decided to call it pepper of paradise. Its popularity was, a few centuries ago, mainly due to its ability to replace pepper and its very attractive price.

What is the flavor of the pepper of paradise?

The pepper of paradise offers spicy, fruity and fiery notes. Its belonging to the family of zingiberaceae also gives it flavors that are reminiscent of citrus and especially lemon like cardamom and combawa, or even ginger. Power and freshness are at the rendezvous with this spice from Ethiopia.

Harvesting pepper of paradise in the plantations

The maniguette is a perennial plant. It develops brown pods that contain many seeds. Its stems can reach two meters high. The pods produced are ovoid in shape and resemble cocoa seeds. Harvested at maturity, they are dried in the sun. They open to release the seeds of your delicious pepper of paradise.

How to use the pepper of paradise in cooking?

The pepper of paradise or maniguette finds its place perfectly in all your preparations. Its power comes to raise your dishes to wonder and offer them a whole other dimension. It brings a very spicy side to pepper and a tangy flavor that does not leave anyone indifferent. Its power makes it a perfect pepper to make a pepper sauce to accompany a nice piece of beef or a duck breast. Ground, this pepper comes to perfume a papillote of fish with vegetables of the sun and a basmati rice. The pepper of paradise is also favored in stuffed vegetables (zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, etc.). The use of the maniguette can also be considered for dessert. In a crème brûlée or a chocolate fondant, or even in a coffee ganache to fill an éclair, it will give your preparation some pep and create a surprise.

The virtues of the pepper of paradise

In Africa, the pepper of paradise is used for its aphrodisiac virtues as well as ginger.

The conservation of the pepper of paradise

Offered in a resealable airtight bag, my pepper of paradise should preferably be kept away from light and humidity.

Origin of this pepper Africa, Ethiopia

Other names of the pepper of paradise Pepper maniguette

Pepper of paradise: is it pungent? Yes, even if it is a fake pepper, it has quite pungent notes.