Description

What is cubeb pepper? 

Cubeb pepper, or Piper cubeba in Latin, is a spice used to flavour food and drinks. Cubeb pepper is a pepper plant belonging to the Piperaceae family. It is often referred to as ‘tailed pepper’ due to its appearance. However, it is sometimes referred to as ‘cubeb berry’ due to its berry-like appearance.

A spice with many names – cubeb is also known as ‘Java pepper’. Kubeeba pepper used to grow only in Java and on other Indonesian islands. In India, however, kubeeba is known as kabab chin.

What does cubeb pepper taste like? 

Cubeb pepper contains terpenes and aromatic plant compounds, which in turn are divided into monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. It is precisely because of these complex names that cubeb has a spicy and woody flavour and aroma.

At first, cubeb tastes slightly spicy, followed by a slightly bitter flavour. Then, however, a very fresh eucalyptus note emerges, along with a hint of citrus. Many people enjoy the flavour of cubeb pepper precisely because it lies somewhere between black pepper and allspice. 

Cubeb vs black pepper

Cubeb pepper is not as hot as black pepper. On the pepper heat scale, it scores a fairly low three out of ten. Black pepper contains large amounts of piperine, which gives it a strong peppery flavour. Cubeb pepper does not contain piperine.

How should cubeb be stored?

Stored in a dry, cool place, this pepper will keep for up to 3 years. However, if you grind the pepper, it’s best to use it within three to six months. Be sure to keep your spices in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, such as the ones we use here at Salt’sUp. Store the jar in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight. 

More interesting facts about this little berry

Cubeb pepper has a colourful history and a unique growth pattern. How exactly should you use cubeb in cooking, and how can it benefit you? Read on to find out more!

The historical background of Java pepper

Java and other islands in Indonesia have always been the main source of this pepper. To preserve the prized cubeb berries for commercial use, farmers sterilised the seeds. This prevented the theft of Java pepper seeds and their subsequent planting in foreign soil.

287. The writings of the Ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus, who died in BC, show that it was not only the Greeks who traded with Java.

The King of Portugal, who wished to establish strong trade links with India, refused to purchase cubeb from the island of Java. Instead, the king permitted black pepper to be imported only from his trading partner, India.

Such refusals are cited as the reason why cubeb pepper did not achieve the popularity it might otherwise have enjoyed. This also explains why black pepper is found in salt and pepper mills, rather than cubeb!

How cubeb pepper grows

The cubeb tree can grow up to 10 metres tall if it has access to moist, nutrient-rich soil. 

Once grown exclusively in Indonesia, cubeb pepper is now cultivated in India, the Lesser Antilles, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The tree’s thick, rubbery leaves are dark green and reach a length of 15 centimetres when fully grown.

During the flowering season, the tree is adorned with white flowers and small berries measuring five millimetres in size. These tailed berries are slightly larger than peppercorns. Harvested just before ripening, whilst they are still green, the berries are left to dry in the sun. After drying, the berries shrivel and turn black.

How to use cubeb?

Kubeeba pepper can be used to create your own spice mix, either whole, crushed or combined with other spices. In both Indonesia and Malaysia, the most popular way to use it is freshly ground, as this is particularly pleasant for seasoning dishes.

Incidentally, there they prefer cubeb to black and red pepper!

Nowadays, the spice is used more in gourmet restaurants, where professional chefs seek to add new flavours alongside traditional black pepper.

Fun fact! This pepper is also used in the production of gin and cigars.

Different ways to use cubeb at home

Cubeb pepper is most commonly found in North African and Asian cuisines. In Morocco, it adds a strong flavour to tagines and is also used in many other recipes.

In Asia, it is often used as part of a curry blend.

In Australia, however, it is popular in restaurants to use and experiment with exotic flavours. Consequently, cubeb pepper is quite a common sight in modern restaurants across Australia.