For Life Cubeb Pepper Seed Whole Sorted

Piper Cubeba L.

Packaging: 20kg

1. #Properties#
   

   Properties of cubeb pepper

   
   
   

   Cubeb pepper Piper cubeba L. is a perennial plant of the Piperaceae family also called tail pepper, embèbe, Kissi pepper, or Indonesian pepper. Originally, this plant grows mainly on the islands of Sumatra and Java, but also in Sri Lanka; it is also cultivated in West Africa. Since ancient times, cubeb pepper has been used in China for its respiratory and aphrodisiac properties before being imported by Arabs to Europe in the Middle Ages. Its trade disappeared in the 17th century when the King of Portugal banned it in favour of black pepper. Cubeb pepper is commonly used in the Maghreb, especially in the mixture of Ras El Hanout. But unlike black pepper, it is slightly spicy, slightly bitter and strongly fragrant, with a hint of cloves. It is very present in Asian cuisine where it spices up vegetable and fish dishes.
   
   

   In the wild, the endemic cubeb pepper of Indonesia needs the support of a tree to grow and on which to wind its lianas, which can climb up to ten meters in height. This explains the difficulty of picking its pepper bunches. Cubeb berry contains cubebol, a natural alcohol with a fresh taste.
   
   

   Coated with aromas, small peppercorns with a tail are renowned for their invigorating properties which help fight fatigue and improve blood circulation. Antipyretic, healing and diuretic, cubeb pepper is also cough suppressant and antiseptic; it promotes digestion thanks to its carminative properties, acts on menopausal disorders, and is used as a natural pain reliever.
   
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2. #Species and parts used#
   

   Species and parts of cubeb pepper used

   
   
   

   Cubeb pepper has tapered leaves; its flowers, small and clustered in spikes, are white and form reddish-brown berries with small seed-filled stems. At Natural Origins, cubeb pepper comes from these fragile berries harvested before reaching maturity and which are then dried on site in Indonesia.
   
   

   At the beginning of our partnership, the berries were picked manually and in a disorganised way before being dried in canvas baskets; hand in hand, we have developed these working methods in order to make the drying of our local pepper optimal, to ensure an irreproachable quality while sustainably maintaining the supply chain. Four kilograms of fresh cubeb pepper are needed to make one kilogram of dried pepper.

   
   

   In order to provide you with an exclusive and environmentally friendly ingredient, we have responsibly invested in artisanal harvesting and drying methods. This allows us to guarantee you a chemical-free spice with intact organoleptic properties while preserving the area devoted to the planting of cubeb pepper.
   
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3. #Origin & quality#
   

   Origin and quality of cubeb pepper

   
   
   
   Our cubeb pepper comes from the island of Java, more precisely from a territory of a few tens of square kilometers, which gives our spice a unique taste specificity. In order to preserve the cleanliness of the plantation area, we have invested in its expansion, in the heart of the forests and away from any pollution. This exceptional terroir character and its intense organoleptic properties make our condiment unique in the preparation of both savory and sweet dishes. 

   
   

   At Natural Origins, we have collaborated with our partners by offering them concrete solutions adapted to their resources to increase the value of their work without impacting their know-how. The artisanal methods put in place with the villagers indeed contribute to improving their quality of life as well as increasing their income. We have also offered our partners to support them by passing the For Life certification. This label, which attests to their involvement, deepens our common approach and creates employment opportunities for the villagers.
   
   

   We attach great importance to meeting our partners, an essential step in discovering our marketing supply chain. Cubeb pepper being a plant in danger of extinction, our partners are very invested in the preservation of this plant and committed to finding solutions to fight against its disappearance. Brought together with all the pepper pickers, they do everything they can to ensure the sustainability and development of production.
   
   In 2020, the For Life label, which concerns corporate social responsibility including the implementation of a responsible sourcing policy, audited Natural Origins and certified it. We have also obtained For Life Product Certification for Social Responsibility as an intermediary trader. That being in the year 2020 a score of 85.3% (against 81.4% in 2019) and five sheets, the maximum level of For Life certification.
   
   
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4. #Country of origin#

   
   Country of origin of cubeb pepper
   

   
   Indonesia, Java Island
   
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5. #Harvest period#
   

   Cubeb pepper harvest period

   
   
   May to July
   
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6. #Best availability period at Natural Origins#
   

   Optimal availability period of cubeb pepper at Natural Origins

   
   
   October / November
   
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