Javanese Longpepper

Common Name(s):
Cabai Jawa
,
Scientific Name:
Piper retrofractum
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Similar to the Indian long pepper, it grows as a flowering and climbing vine. Tiny berries grow densely in a cluster, forming an almost corn cob-like multiple fruit appearance. These fruits are reddish in comparison to the Indian long pepper's dark brown, and are picked and dried whole.
HABITAT
Southeast Asia, especially peninsular Malaysia and Java.
SEASON
N/A
TASTE/AROMA
It has a sweet hint to it like cinnamon, with a peppery heat, though not as strong as the common black pepper.
COMMON USE
Before the arrival of chilli peppers from the West, long peppers were used as a source of sweet and spicy heat in Southeast Asia. Its Indonesian name, 'cabya', is the reason why chilli peppers are also known as 'cabai' in many Malay-speaking parts of Southeast Asia.
USE IN DEWAKAN
Javanese long pepper is steamed with blue swimmer crabs, turmeric, lime, and semomok leaves, along with torch ginger flowers.
SOURCES
National Parks Board of Singapore. (2021, September 26). Piper nigrum. NParks Flora & Fauna Web.
Link
Falkowitz, M. (2020, February 26). Spice Hunting: Long Pepper. Serious Eats.
Link
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