Long pepper comes from the Piper longum plant, which belongs to the same family as black pepper (Piper nigrum). It has a long, slender shape with a textured surface that resembles small scales or tiny beads. When dried, it turns dark brown to black, while the fresh version is green. Its flavor is more complex than black pepper—warmly spicy, slightly sweet, with herbal notes reminiscent of ginger and cinnamon. The aroma is also deeper and more intense.

Long pepper is widely used in traditional dishes across several cultures, such as:

• Indonesia: Traditional rendang, gulai, Javanese royal dishes, and herbal drinks like kunyit asam and beras kencur.
• India: Ayurvedic cooking, such as Trikatu (a blend of long pepper, black pepper, and dried ginger), as well as various types of curries.
• Middle East and ancient Persia: Used in spiced roasted meats and soups.

🍽️ Simple Recipe: Stir-Fried Chicken with Long Pepper

Ingredients: Chicken, garlic & shallots, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, and crushed long pepper.

How to make: Sauté all the spices until fragrant, add the chicken, season, and cook until done. Long pepper adds a warm spiciness and a unique aroma.

🌿 Fresh vs. Dried Long Pepper

🎉 Fun Facts About Long Pepper

1. Older than black pepper – it has been used since the Roman Empire!
2. Used in Ayurveda – known as pippali, beneficial for digestion and respiration.
3. Layered flavor – starts sweet, then turns into a warm, lingering heat.
4. Traveled to Europe before black pepper became popular.
5. Grows wild in Indonesia – it’s a hardy climbing plant that’s easy to cultivate.

Long pepper is a distinctive spice rich in history and flavor. Whether used in traditional cooking or herbal remedies, it offers a warm, unique touch. Though it’s rarely used in everyday cooking today, long pepper is well worth rediscovering—whether for culinary experimentation or for reconnecting with the deep flavors of traditional Indonesian cuisine. You can easily find long pepper, both fresh and dried, at Balipickfresh.