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With salt, everything tastes better. Wait till you add one more secret ingredient, though. In the sections that follow, we'll concentrate on his pungent companion, who in ancient Rome even served as money. Of course, we discuss pepper, and more specifically, the Kampot pepper, one of the best peppers in the world.
Adding pepper to certain foods can work wonders and also promote good health. Each type of pepper has unique qualities that make it stand out. Any careful chef knows the value of freshly ground black pepper, but a true epicurean will extol the virtues of Kampot peppercorns. Esteemed by French haute cuisine, Cambodian cooks, and spice aficionados globally, this unusual variety of peppercorn has garnered a dedicated following.
The region where Kampot pepper is cultivated is a small, hilly area that spans the provinces of Kampot and Kep in southern Cambodia. The "terroir" of this location, which encompasses the unique combination of climate, soil, hydrology, and cultural expertise, is ideal for producing some of the finest peppers in the world. These peppers boast unparalleled flavours and aromas that linger on the palate.
Much earlier than the ancient civilizations of the Angkor Kingdom, pepper was grown in Kampot. Up to 8,000 metric tonnes per year were manufactured and exported to France during the early to mid-20th century French colonial era, when production was at its peak. Yet under the Khmer Rouge's rule in the 1970s, when farmers were made to grow rice instead and the pepper plantations were abandoned to the wild, the business all but died. Early in the 1990s, once peace had returned to Cambodia, families of pepper farmers began to slowly return to their homelands to start rebuilding their traditional trade with the help of development organisations.
The world of haute cuisine is currently rediscovering Kampot pepper's excellent quality, and demand from the best restaurants in Europe, the rest of the Western World, Japan, and Korea is assisting in lifting Kampot's traditional pepper growers out of poverty. The European Union has now recognised Kampot pepper as the first pepper in the world to receive Protected Geographic Indication (PGI), a certification that honours goods of outstanding quality that can only be produced in a specific place.
Why Is Kampot Pepper So Unique Than Other Varieties?
The province of Kampot in southwest Cambodia is located at the base of the Dâmrei Mountains, where the combination of altitude, warm, humid weather, and quartz-rich soil make for ideal farming conditions. In this setting, peppercorn vines grow well and provide a spice with exceptional flavour and perfume. The best pepper in the world is thought to be from Kampot. Similar to Roquefort cheese, Bourbon whisky, and Vidalia onions, they bear the name of the place where they were produced.
The French appellation d'origine contrôlée, a geographical indicator that safeguards trade names for specialised food goods like Champagne, has been awarded to Kampot pepper as the first product from Cambodia. In 2016, the European Union also recognised the Kampot pepper as a protected geographical designation. With this protective status, producers are guaranteed a fair price for their pepper and a good standard of quality.
The red Kampot peppercorns are very prized. A couple of the berries will tinge red when the peppercorn clusters are ready to be picked. The pepper berry's delicious, sweet flavour is most noticeable at this stage. Before they are dried in the sun, these perfectly ripe, red berries are sorted by hand. This season, we are offering a rare dark red variety; for this ultra-premium grade, only the finest red berries are chosen.
Health Benefits Of Kampot Pepper
There are several health advantages to Kampot pepper. Kampot black peppers can help with stomach health by boosting the production of gastric juices that help with food digestion and cholesterol reduction. While white peppercorns are beneficial for strengthening bones and teeth, red peppercorn balls can help combat nerve damage and prevent liver illness. You see, using these organic peppercorns in your cooking is actually beneficial to your health.
How To Use Kampot Pepper
Certain dishes can bring out the best in these peppers, just like anything else in your spice cabinet. How then are Kampot peppercorns prepared? While the more subdued flavour of the white pepper is good for a soup or broth, the fruitier overtones of the crushed red pepper are ideal for sweeter dessert dishes. Black pepper from Kampot is frequently used as a posh garnish on red meats, but it's vital to apply it just before serving or leave it on the side for your guests because, like garlic, it may become bitter if overused.
Using a few of these tasty bullets, you may increase the flavour of a peppercorn sauce or use cracked black pepper to balance the saltiness of fish sauce with smokey, flowery tones. Lime and coarse black pepper would be an excellent addition to grilled chicken or other shellfish, like a crab. Actually, there are countless possibilities.
