Long Pepper

Long Pepper or Java Pepper is a rare and unique pepper. It's piper longum, a pepper with spicy and sweet sensual notes. You will discover a different and long attack on the palate, first a taste of chocolate, anise, liquorice and cinnamon, then a warm and slightly spicy side. A delicious pepper for salty or sweet cooking.

Pepper power: 8/10
Main notes: Hot and round chocolate and anise
Use: Savory and sweet cooking
Origin: Indonesia

Buy the best quality long java pepper and discover our tips and recipes. Discover the kitten pepper and its sweet and captivating notes for creative everyday cooking.

Packaging

Reference PLF50

€4.75

Cocoa Flavor Profile

Exceptional aromatics combining cocoa, anise, liquorice, and cinnamon. Smooth, sweet heat.

Java Origin

Harvested on Java island, Indonesia. Catkin-shaped peppercorns naturally sun-dried.

The King of Desserts

The ultimate pepper for pairing with chocolate, dark berries, and fine pastry creations.

Comparative Sensory Analysis

Java vs Cambodia Red Long vs Black Pepper

Three distinct flavor profiles within the pepper family

Cocoa · Anise · Liquorice

Woody · Resinous

Floral · Herbal

Gentle Heat (Non-burning)

Pepper Heat (Piperine)

Java Long Pepper

Cambodia Red Long

Classic Black Pepper

The Cocoa Secret: Long pepper heat comes from unique secondary alkaloids in Java species that create a smooth tingling sensation rather than a sharp burn. Terpenes like beta-caryophyllene bring woody notes, while linalool adds floral freshness.

Java · Red Long · Black

A delicious pepper for sweet and savory cooking. Buy top-quality Java Long Pepper and explore new flavor dimensions with subtle cocoa, liquorice, and cinnamon notes.

Botanical Precision: Java Long Pepper belongs to Piper retrofractum Vahl, distinct from Indian Long Pepper (Piper longum L.), a related species with shorter catkins.

Technical Sheet

What You Receive

Country of originIndonesia (Java)
Botanical speciesPiper retrofractum
IngredientsWhole Java Long Peppercorns
Aromatic Power8/10
Main NotesWarm cocoa, anise, liquorice
ApplicationsMeat, stew, chocolate desserts, berry fruit
AllergensNone
PackagingPouch, Jar, or Refillable Mill
Preparation / DeliveryPrepared in 24h, delivered in 48h

What is Java Long Pepper (Piper retrofractum)?

A climbing vine in the Piperaceae family. When sun-dried, the catkins measure 2 to 5 cm long, resembling hazel catkins. It moves away from classic Piper nigrum notes into sweet, aromatic territories.

Did You Know? The Roman Legacy

Long pepper was the very first Piper species to dominate Western markets, centuries before black pepper. Transported overland from Asia, it reached ancient Greece by the 6th century BC and became Roman aristocracy's prized spice, featured throughout Apicius' De Re Coquinaria.

Pliny the Elder recorded its sky-high cost: long pepper commanded twice the price of black pepper. A single pound cost half a legionnaire's monthly wage. In AD 408, Alaric the Visigoth demanded 3,000 pounds of long pepper as ransom to lift the siege of Rome.

Its prominence faded when direct sea routes lowered black pepper prices, and Spanish/Portuguese trade introduced chili peppers (genus Capsicum) in the 16th century.

Aromatic Profile and Culinary Applications

How to Use It

Mortar & Pestle: Coarsely crush to release whole essential oils.
Grate Fresh: Use a nutmeg grater over chocolate mousse, brownies, or fresh berries.
Infuse: Simmer whole catkins in stews, braises, or cream sauces.

Creative Recipe Ideas

Savory Dishes

Saffron & Java Long Pepper Shrimp Risotto: Velvety risotto where long pepper brings warm background heat pairing with saffron.
Java Pepper Marinated Beef: Enhances red meat with deep warm undertones.

Desserts

Java Long Pepper Brownies: Cocoa notes in the pepper intensify dark chocolate.
Cold Strawberry & Vanilla Soup: Adds a sweet, anise-like spiced touch to red berries.