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Favorite black pepper source?

paulraphael
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paulraphael

paulraphael

Posted
Posted

Around 10 years ago I bought some tellicherry peppercorns on Amazon that were amazing. Spicy, floral, pungent, 3-dimensional lingering flavor. 

 

After that pound ran out, I looked again, couldn't find the same brand, and tried another that looked similar. It tasted like ... plain old boring pepper. I've tried a few others in the ensuing years; some were better than others, but nothing great. 

 

What have I been missing? What's available that you love?

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weinoo

weinoo

Posted
Posted
57 minutes ago, paulraphael said:

Around 10 years ago I bought some tellicherry peppercorns on Amazon that were amazing. Spicy, floral, pungent, 3-dimensional lingering flavor. 

 

My last purchase of peppercorns was also from Amazon - from The Spice Lab - they were good, same variety.

 

I just ordered these from Penzey's to give them a try.

 

 

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JoNorvelleWalker

JoNorvelleWalker

Posted
Posted
23 minutes ago, weinoo said:

My last purchase of peppercorns was also from Amazon - from The Spice Lab - they were good, same variety.

 

I just ordered these from Penzey's to give them a try.

 

 

 

My favorite peppercorns.  I buy the large bags.

 

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rotuts

rotuts

Posted
Posted

i also like these peppercorns.

 

Ive been using them for years.

 

and yes , I buy the largest bag.

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Shel_B

Shel_B

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, nickrey said:

If you can source it, try Cambodian Kampot pepper. It's delicious.

 

Edited to add link: https://www.amazon.com/SaltsUp-KAMPOT-pepper-tellicherry-peppercorns/dp/B0BGLZGKG3/

 

I use Kampot frequently. The local spice shop carries it.

https://oaktownspiceshop.com/collections/peppercorns/products/kampot-black-peppercorns

 

What kind of listing is that from Amazon? It states Kampot pepper tellicherry ... what is one actually getting? I'd certainly be hesitant to order from that listing.

 

Edited by Shel_B (log)
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 ... Shel


 

liuzhou

liuzhou

Posted
Posted
28 minutes ago, Shel_B said:

 

I use Kampot frequently. The local spice shop carries it.

https://oaktownspiceshop.com/collections/peppercorns/products/kampot-black-peppercorns

 

What kind of listing is that from Amazon? It states Kampot pepper tellicherry ... what is one actually getting?

 

 

The Amazon listing is indeed strange. Although Tellicherry (India) and Kampot (Cambodia) peppercorns are essentially the same, perhaps terroir is important. 

Also, the Oaktown Spice listing is strange. Their definition of 'single origin' is very vague.

 

Also, it should be noted that as Kampot's production is rising due to the export market, the production is also causing large scale deforestation in a country already suffering serious deforestation.

 

 

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Shel_B

Shel_B

Posted
Posted

I don't understnd the "essential sameness" you ascribe to the Tellicherry and Kampot peppers. I'm familiar with both, and have had them both here at home many times. The Tellicherry has always been the larger peppercorn of the two, and their flavor profiles are not even close, at least to my taste. There are situations in which they'd not be used interchageably. I agree, terrior plays a role in a pepper's characteristics, just as it does for wine grapes, coffee beans, and chocolate (cacao).

 

Oaktown's description of Single Origin seems pretty clear to me. In what way is it vague to you? It's a description that I've seen before for other single origin products.

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 ... Shel


 

liuzhou

liuzhou

Posted
Posted (edited)
13 minutes ago, Shel_B said:

I don't understnd the "essential sameness" you ascribe to the Tellicherry and Kampot peppers.

 

They're the same species. 

 

As to single origin, it may be a different usage in the EU and UK and in the USA. In the UK it is more narrowly defined.

 

Edited by liuzhou
typo (log)
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Shel_B

Shel_B

Posted
Posted
12 minutes ago, liuzhou said:

 

They're the same species. 

 

All black pepper is Piper Nigrum.  Well, the long peppers are piper longum.

 

There are so many varieties of piper nigrum, and the differences range from subtle to remarkable, that I'd not consider them essentially the same except, perhaps, in a scientific sense.

 

Nice to get your point of view.

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 ... Shel


 

KennethT

KennethT

Posted
Posted
17 hours ago, paulraphael said:

Around 10 years ago I bought some tellicherry peppercorns on Amazon that were amazing. Spicy, floral, pungent, 3-dimensional lingering flavor. 

 

After that pound ran out, I looked again, couldn't find the same brand, and tried another that looked similar. It tasted like ... plain old boring pepper. I've tried a few others in the ensuing years; some were better than others, but nothing great. 

 

What have I been missing? What's available that you love?

Since you're in NYC, if you can make your way to Kalustyan's - they have a selection of tons of different peppercorns - maybe 20-30 different varieties.  Myself, I'm partial to the Vietnamese for most everyday usage - it's sharp, spicy, all around good.  For other purposes, I love the one from Sarawak, Malaysia, which is known for it's peppercorn - that's what I use for my Singapore style bak kut teh, which is a pork soup flavored only with garlic and peppercorn.  This one gives a more rounded warmth in the back of the throat which is perfect for this dish.

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liuzhou

liuzhou

Posted
Posted (edited)
34 minutes ago, KennethT said:

Myself, I'm partial to the Vietnamese for most everyday usage - it's sharp, spicy, all around good.

 

I too prefer Vietnamese and living within a stone's throw helps with freshness (and price). I rarely use anything else.

Vietnam is, by a longshot, the world's largest producer of black peppercorns.  

 

 

Edited by liuzhou (log)
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...your dancing child with his Chinese suit.

 

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The Kitchen Scale Manifesto

Shel_B

Shel_B

Posted
Posted
42 minutes ago, KennethT said:

Since you're in NYC, if you can make your way to Kalustyan's - they have a selection of tons of different peppercorns - maybe 20-30 different varieties.  

 

I looked at their selection and price. Pretty good on both counts.  I'll have to do some comparison shopping. Thanks for mentioning them.

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 ... Shel


 

rotuts

rotuts

Posted
Posted (edited)

@TdeV

 

Im a big fan of S.T's

 

I loaded uo , in the Era known as Before 

 

mostly whole spice curry blends , but many herb blends , as they are flakes , not ground.

 

and many had no added salt.

 

I hope to use what I have , then re=stock After.

Edited by rotuts (log)
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kayswv

kayswv

Posted
Posted

The one we have been using for years, I purchase from Amazon. This is the writeup about them. "Soeos Black Peppercorns, 16oz (Pack of 1), Whole Black Pepper, Non-GMO, Kosher, Freshly Peppercorn Bulk, Packed to Keep Peppers Fresh, Ready to Use Corns for Grinder Refill"

 

Highly recommend. 

 

liuzhou

liuzhou

Posted
Posted

I occasionally buy this for special meals. It ain't cheap, even though Cambodia is only a short way away.

 

kampot.thumb.jpg.7d1f83a2440a3ed25c8a6645b911d487.jpg

 

They also do white and pink peppercorns, but I've never bought them. For daily use , I go for Vietnamese.

 

 

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...your dancing child with his Chinese suit.

 

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The Kitchen Scale Manifesto

Shel_B

Shel_B

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, liuzhou said:

I occasionally buy this for special meals. It ain't cheap, even though Cambodia is only a short way away.

kampot.thumb.jpg.7d1f83a2440a3ed25c8a6645b911d487.jpg

They also do white and pink peppercorns, but I've never bought them. For daily use , I go for Vietnamese.

 

The Vietnamese peppercorns are sort of a "standard" here in the States, although Kampot (and Quang Tri) are my everyday peppers.  Here the Kampot is a bit more expensive. What's the price difference between Vietnamese and Kampot where you are?

 ... Shel


 

liuzhou

liuzhou

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, Shel_B said:

Here the Kampot is a bit more expensive. What's the price difference between Vietnamese and Kampot where you are?

 

Any comparison is going to be somewhat meaningless. 

 

It depends on the grade you buy. Also, I live an hour away from Vietnam whereas Cambodia is considerably further. Then we look at 'favourable nation status'. Vietnam has a strong trading links with China; Cambodia  almost none.

Then there is scale. Vietnam is the largest producing nation of all. Cambodia is way down the list.

 

But for an example, I usually buy Vietnamese for around ¥69 / $9.58 USD per 500g. Those Cambodian peppers are ¥134 / $18.60 for 100g.

 

Approximately 1/10

 

 

Edited by liuzhou (log)
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...your dancing child with his Chinese suit.

 

"No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot"
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The Kitchen Scale Manifesto

paulraphael

paulraphael

Posted
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Posted

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm interested in the Penzy's that everyone likes, but will try that later. Very expensive right now. For the near term I grabbed some spice Lab tellicherry from Amazon for a good price. Probably not as good by I'm hoping it's decent.

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