Long Pepper (Thipili)

Long prized for its robust, earthy heat akin to cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, the long pepper boasts an ancient legacy of flavor. Beyond its versatile culinary role, this spice, hotter than its counterpart black pepper, presents a harmonious blend of musk and sweetness, leaving a soothing tobacco-like coolness on the palate.Used in pickles and preserves, long pepper's tiny berries combine to form distinctive rod-like structures, best ground or crushed for peak pungency. Unlike regular black pepper, long pepper's exceptional taste pairs well with spicy cheeses and wine sauces, and in India, it's mixed with honey to alleviate cold symptoms. Historically treasured, long pepper's notable anti-tumor compound, Piperlongumine, adds to its allure.