Voatsiperifery wild pepper
Quick answer:voatsiperifery is a wild pepper from Madagascar, harvested from vines in the primary forests of the east. Small, with a distinctive tail, it offers woody, fruity and resinous notes found nowhere else in the world, and is one of the peppers most prized by chefs.
The Voatsiperifery wild pepperis not cultivated: it grows in the wild and climbs trees up to 20 m high. Harvesting it means patrolling the forest and picking it by hand.
Where voatsiperifery comes from
Voatsiperifery (Piper borbonense) is endemic to Madagascar. The vine grows in the understory and climbs high into the trees; the berries are picked with great difficulty, by following the trunks. This demanding harvest and the plant's rarity explain its higher price compared with cultivated peppers.
Aromatic profile: woody, resinous, complex
Voatsiperifery is a rare pepper on the palate. It combines woody notes (juniper, eucalyptus), dried fruit, a floral touch, and a gentle heat. It releases its aroma slowly and lingers on the palate for a long time.
How to use voatsiperifery in cooking
This is a finishing pepper. It reveals its full character when ground at the last minute, as a complement to an already excellent dish. Avoid long cooking times, which would destroy its finest notes.
- On pan seared foie gras, a matured red meat, or a duck breast.
- On a blue veined cheese or a fresh goat cheese.
- In a short pepper sauce (stock reduction and cream).
- On a chocolate dessert or cooked fruit (fig, pear).
How to store voatsiperifery
Keep the whole berries in an airtight jar, away from light. Properly stored, it keeps its aroma for 2 to 3 years. Grind to order to avoid losing any of its notes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is voatsiperifery more expensive?Wild harvest, in the understory, with no cultivation, in limited quantities. It is a forest pepper, not a farmed one.
Can it replace black pepper?For everyday use, that would be a shame. Save it for finishing touches and dishes where it will truly stand out.
Can you eat the tail?Yes, it is ground along with the berry. It is in fact an integral part of voatsiperifery's aroma.
Buying voatsiperifery
For everyday cooking, choose the 50 g grinder, the 50 g pouch, or a pouch and grinder pack. For more intensive use, see the 100 g bagsand 250 g.
See also: our voatsiperiferyand the pepper and berry blend.
