Ashanti Pepper/Black Pepper

Ashanti pepper is an exotic variety of Black pepper resembling Cubeb Pepper which grows in the Rain forests of Democratic republic of Congo. However, unlike Cubeb pepper which is large and spherical in shape, Ashanti Pepper berries are prolate - elliptically shaped, smaller and smoother than cubeb pepper.

Ashanti pepper contains 5% to 8% piperine, which gives it ‘heat’. It also contains significant proportions (10%) of myristicine, elemicin, safrole and dillapiol.

The flavor of Ashanti pepper is similar to that of Cubeb pepper, but they are fresher in flavor and much less bitter.

Most of the Ashanti pepper grows wild and it is collected in small quantities from the forest. It is one of the main source of income for the people living in and around the Rain forests of Eastern Congo.