SC - Long pepper

[Philip W. Troy]

LYN M PARKINSON wrote:
> 
> Adamantius,
> 
> What, exactly, is long pepper?  I am allergic to all peppers so haven't
> investigated this, but I ought to know about it as it appears in so many
> recipes, and I could have a fellow cook add it after I'd sampled the
> pepperless version.
> 
> Allison

Long pepper is piper longum, as opposed to piper negrum, or black
pepper. It is a close realtive of black pepper, but the little berries
grow in a cluster similar to a tiny oblong bunch of grapes or an ear of
grain. Flavor is apparently similar but not identical to black pepper.

I have not used it myself, and have not run across any in 15 years or so
of looking, on and off. Some claim it is extinct, while others claim to
know where it can be obtained by mail order. All I know is that I've
never seen any long pepper, and don't think I've net anyone else who has
seen it themselves. Plenty of "friend of a friend" stuff, though, so I
suppose it could be a sort of urban legend.

My apologies to anyone who may have seen or used the stuff: I am not
accusing anyone of deceit, just saying I've never seen it.

Adamantius