Penja Pepper: A Grand Cru of Pepper!

Penja White Pepper is harvested at optimal ripeness, washed, stripped of its pulp, and then sun-dried in the Moungo province of Cameroon. Every stage of production (harvesting, retting, washing, drying, sorting) is entirely manual and mainly carried out by the expert hands of the village women. Penja Pepper is now globally recognized for its gastronomic excellence. In 2014, it became the first Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) on the African continent.

Penja pepper is one of the last introductions of Piper nigrum outside its place of origin (India). The first pepper plants were introduced to Penja in the 1930s by Mr. Decré, a banana planter. The production is limited to only 18 tons per year, making it a rare commodity worldwide. The harvest is traditional, done entirely by hand, and the cleaning, drying, and sorting methods have remained unchanged for generations. Women meticulously sort the pepper, grain by grain. Its taste is powerful, with a woody aroma and sensual notes. This pepper is the fruit of a giant vine, the Piper nigrum. It climbs a tree with rough and cracked bark, which facilitates its ascent. Its pollination occurs through rain. The rich and fertile lands of Cameroon give Penja pepper an exceptional aroma and concentration of essential oils.

The Essential Pepper

The volcanic and fertile soils of Penja give Penja white pepper fresh aromas of menthol and camphor. When ground, it offers a long-lasting taste experience.
Its animal notes pair perfectly with game dishes, red meat, a fruit salad, or a toast with Sainte-Maure cheese. Try it simply with oysters.

Dessert Ideas with Penja Pepper

If you have an adventurous palate, try using pepper in desserts… Try it with a pear tart or fresh garden strawberries with freshly squeezed lime juice. Sautéed pineapple served with vanilla ice cream and a few pinches of Penja pepper.

History and Culture of Pepper:

The quest for pepper is closely tied to the discovery of India, Africa, and the New World, as it was in search of pepper that Christopher Columbus discovered… America!
Likewise, when Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498, merchants asked him what he was looking for, and he replied: "To find Christians and spices!"
The name "pepper" comes from the Sanskrit word "pippali" and the Latin "piper." The first pepper vines are believed to have originated from the west coast of India, specifically the Malabar Coast. It is said to have appeared in the wild more than 4,000 years ago.
Green, black, or white… it's the same fruit harvested at different stages of ripeness. Green pepper is picked before maturity, offering fresh and citrusy notes. Black pepper is harvested before maturity and then dried, giving it bold and spicy flavors. White pepper is picked at full maturity, washed, and stripped of its pericarp (outer shell), releasing animal-like aromas.