Wild Black Pepper

In Malagasy, they call it Voatsiperifery, meaning "fruit of the tree". Rare and highly prized, it grows wild only in the high-altitude virgin forests of Madagascar. When it is fully ripe, it has an eye-catching bright red color, and it is at this point that it is harvested – a difficult and dangerous task. The wild liana, which produces the pods, grows around high-trunked trees, reaching a height of up to 20 meters. The small, reddish-brown oval-shaped pods feature the characteristic dark-brown stalk.

Features

The wild pepper tree grows in the central forests of the island's upland areas. The pods are harvested and processed by hand by the local populace. Sambava Épices has directly selected the production zones it uses, and today it is the only company in Madagascar to carry out the sustainable harvesting of the product. This extraordinary pepper is a veritable explosion of fragrances, with its long-lasting fruit-laden notes and its undertones both citrus and floral.

Recommendations

It is a great favorite of gourmets and Michelin-starred chefs. Used just like black pepper, it has a pleasingly fresh flavor, with spiced nuances of fruit and wood. It is also delicious when added to fresh-fruit salads, ice cream and sorbets, and even works well on sweet-and-sour dishes. It is a particularly mouthwatering addition to pork and lamb, and goes very well with coconut milk and chocolate. The locals add it fresh to their rice- and meat-based dishes.