Pepperberry
Pepperberry! Use it like normal pepper but taste the Australian Bush difference. Mix with olive oil as a salad dressing, in dips and with roasted meats and veggies
USES
Eaten fresh, the immediate taste is one of sweet, earthy notes with an intense peppery bite that lingers on the tongue and back palate that continues to build in heat. Native mountain pepperberries are typically hotter than conventional black pepper, but more versatile, and complement both sweet and savoury dishes.
The berries can be used fresh, dried or milled as a spice. The intensity of the peppery heat decreases the longer it cooks, which slowly releases the sweetness of the berries and adds a richer flavour. Add a little just before serving to experience the fullness of the spice’s peppery punch.
Pepperberries pair well with dairy (yoghurt, most cheese varieties, cream, ice cream and gelato/sorbet), oil and vinegar-based meat marinades and salad dressings, meat-based sauces and egg-based condiments. Complements fish, seafood, chicken, pork, lamb, beef and game meat, and pairs perfectly with all vegetable varieties.
Mountain pepperberries lift the profile of alcoholic beverages such as gin, vodka, white rum, Cointreau and tequila. It adds a dark pinkish tint and refreshing, spicy twist to soda, tonic, mineral water and lemonade.
HEALTH BENEFITS
- Mountain pepperberry is rich in antioxidants which help protect cells against the damaging effects of free radicals and may prevent or delay cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, as well as autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.
- Pepperberries have significantly higher antioxidant capacity than blueberries, which are considered one of the richest sources of antioxidants among fruits.
- Mountain pepperberries contain high concentrations of Vitamin E, folate, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and lutein, a compound that plays an important role in eye health and wellbeing.
- Mountain pepperberries are a rich source of protein and are high in dietary fibre.
- Mountain pepperberries are used to assist in the slow absorption of glucose from the stomach, allowing for stabilization of blood sugar levels.
- The berries contain the compound polygodial, which can be used as an anti-inflammatory for issues such as arthritis, asthma and assisting in healing gut irritability. The polygodial properties protect the stomach lining from pathogens, diseases and inflammatory markers.
- Mountain pepperberries were traditionally used for their antiseptic properties, and to treat sore gums and toothaches.