Cubeb pepper, also referred to as Java pepper due to its Indonesian origin, has a mild peppery flavour with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Once baked, cubeb pepper loses its bitterness and takes on a more rounded flavour with hints of nutmeg and cardamom.
Cubeb pepper is used along with cloves, nutmeg and ginger to create a four spice mix, a mix popular in French cuisine (where it is known as quatre épices).
Ingredients
Metric
Imperial
- 1/2 tbsp of cubeb pepper
- 1/2 tbsp of ground cloves
- 1/2 tbsp of ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tbsp of ginger
1
Place the cubeb pepper into a pestle and mortar and grind until it forms a fine powder
2
Add the ground cloves, nutmeg and ginger to the finely ground cubeb and mix well until combined
3
Store the spice mix in an airtight container until required – as the strength of a spice mix will fade over time it is best to use on the same day of making
Serving suggestions
It is typically used in soups and stews, although can add fantastic flavour to cooked vegetables, meat and even used in baking – try adding a spicy kick to biscuits and bread.
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