Pink Peppercorns

About

Pink peppercorns (also called rose pepper, rose peppercorn, Brazilian pepper, poivre rose, baie rose, poivre de Bourbon, Florida holly, aroeira, among others), are actually not peppercorns, but the dried berries from a small shrub (schinus terebinthifolius). The berries add a very mild pepper-like taste to food, and are delicious in both sweet and savory dishes. Grind it in a spice mill and add to a sweet shortbread batter, toss into a savory cabbage coleslaw, blend with fresh thyme for a tasty rub on grilled fish and chicken, or even add to vanilla ice cream or gelato!

Information

Other names: Schinus

Translations: Rozā piparu, Rausvųjų pipirų, Piper roz, Pink Papar, Pink hồ tiêu, Różowego pieprzu, Roze peper, गुलाबी peppercorns, Pimenta Rosa, Розовый перец, Μούρων, حبوب الفلفل الوردي, 핑크 후추, Růžového pepře, Pink merica, 粉红胡椒, Grans de pebre rosa, Pink popra, Ružového korenia, Rosa Pepe, פינק פלפל, Rosépeppar, Пинк бибера, ピンク胡椒, Poivre rose, Rosa Pfefferkörner, Rosa peber, Rosa pepperkorn, Granos de pimienta rosa, Рожевий перець, Pink pippurit, Розов пипер

Physical Description

Pink "peppercorns" are small, pinkish-red berries that, with their smooth skin and puffy-hollow feel, do not closely resemble true peppercorns.

Colors: bright pink to rich rose

Tasting Notes

Flavors: spicy, delicate, sweet

Mouthfeel: Crunchy, Spicy, Hot, Papery

Food complements: Potatoes, Cheese, Fruit, Seafood

Wine complements: White wine

Substitutes:

Selecting and Buying

Choosing: Pink "peppercorns" are sold freeze dried, either in individual containers, or in peppercorn mixes as a seasoning, or brine cured for use in salads. seafood, poultry, or vegetable dishes.

Buying: Pink peppercorns are popular world wide. They are available either freeze dried and sold on their own in containers, added into gourmet peppercorn mixes, or brine cured (though they do tend to lose some of their characteristic color). Large chain-stores or supermarkets usually carry them, they can also be bought in bulk on the internet and from specialty or boutique stores.

Procuring: Pink peppercorns, while native to South America, are grown throughout the world. In the U.S. the shrubs grow wild in California, Texas, and Florida. The shrubs grow very well in wet environments.