Long Pepper - India
Long Pepper - India
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Description
Description
Botanical name: Piper longum
Long Pepper, also known as Indian Long Pepper or Pippali, is the fruit of a flowering vine native to India and one of the world’s oldest recorded spices. Revered in ancient Greece and Rome, traded along early spice routes, cherished in early Ayurvedic texts and celebrated throughout India, Persia, Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean, Long Pepper once held greater prestige than black pepper itself. Its distinctive catkin-shaped spikes, deeply aromatic character and warm, sweet complexity made it a prized spice in royal kitchens, temple cooking, and historic apothecaries.
Spice Zen’s Certified Organic Long Pepper is sourced exclusively from premium Piper longum vines in India, not the milder Javanese Piper retrofractum variety more common in modern trade. The result is a spice of remarkable depth: earthy and musky, with layers of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger and citrus peel unfolding in gentle waves. Its heat is warm rather than sharp; rounded rather than biting; sensual rather than aggressive.
Long Pepper is extraordinary in its versatility. Used whole, cracked or finely ground, it elevates desserts, savoury dishes and spice blends alike. A true culinary bridge between ancient tradition and modern gastronomy.
Flavour & Aroma Profile
Warm, earthy and aromatic with sweet heat; notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom and dried citrus; a deep musky base and a lingering finish softer than black pepper but infinitely more complex.
How to Use
- Use a small pinch, about ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon ground, per 2 to 4 serves as a finishing spice
- Lightly crush and add to dals, lentils or slow cooked curries during the final 5 minutes
- Grind fresh over roasted vegetables or soups for warm, lingering heat
- Infuse whole pieces in broths, rice or stocks, then remove before serving
- Add a tiny pinch to chai, cacao drinks or spiced desserts for deep, aromatic warmth
Long pepper is more complex and slightly sweeter than black pepper, so start light and build gradually.
Perfect For
- Traditional Indian dals and kitchari
- Slow cooked curries and gravies
- Winter vegetable soups and broths
- Chai, spiced cacao and warming drinks
- Pickles and heritage style spice blends
- Recipes inspired by Ayurvedic or classical Indian cooking
Wellness Tradition
In Ayurveda, Pippali (Long Pepper) is traditionally regarded as a warming, invigorating spice used for centuries in classical cooking, tonics, and seasonal preparations. Its naturally warming, aromatic quality is traditionally believed to kindle internal heat and digestive fire, making it a valued culinary spice across many regions of India.
In traditional practice- Vata types are thought to enjoy Pippali for its grounding warmth and aromatic richness.
Kapha - favours it for its warmth, spice and subtle sweetness that may bring lightness and movement. Pitta types may enjoy Pippali in moderation, as the spice’s warmth is balanced by its sweet depth rather than sharp heat.
Long Pepper is also one of the three spices in Ayurveda’s classical trio Trikatu (with black pepper and ginger), traditionally appreciated for its warming synergy in culinary and seasonal rituals.
Traditional knowledge only, not a therapeutic claim.
Presentation & Storage
Packed in a biodegradable brown stand-up pouch with protective inner lining to preserve aroma, natural volatile oils and just-cracked freshness. Store airtight in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Ingredients & Nutritional Information
Ingredients & Nutritional Information
Recipe Inspirations & Pairings
Recipe Inspirations & Pairings
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WHY CERTIFIED ORGANIC?
Certified organic ingredients are grown naturally, without synthetic chemicals or pesticides and handled with care from source to shelf. Independent certification gives you confidence that we meet strict organic standards and maintains its integrity throughout the journey.
THE SPICE ZEN Difference
Gluten free across our entire range.
Produced and packed in a dedicated gluten free facility.
Independently tested and endorsed by Coeliac Australia.
Premium certified organic ingredients; wildcrafted Australian natives.
No fillers, preservatives, flavourings or extracts.
Small-batch production for Freshness & Integrity.
Small family-owned business
Crafted carefully to meet dietary requirements.
Guided by respect for people, traditions and the environment.
