Long pepper (Piper longum)

Long pepper, also known as long pepper, pipali pepper or pippali pepper, is a species of tropical climbing plant belonging to the pepper family. This exotic herb is native to India, where it has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its medicinal benefits, especially for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to its specific appearance and characteristic pungent aroma, it is also often used as a decorative element in culinary arts.

Its fruits are similar to black pepper, but twice as long and narrow, sometimes up to two centimetres long. Their flavour is very pronounced with a slightly sweet background and a strong peppery note. It is a popular spice in Indian, Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine, where it is used to make traditional curry mixes, sauces, soups and spicy marinades. Due to its distinctive flavour, long pepper is also used in some types of alcohol, such as gin, and is increasingly popular in home pharmacies as an ingredient in herbal teas and tinctures. Its dried fruits can also be found in many spice blends and natural food supplements. In the pharmaceutical industry, long pepper is used for the preparation of medicines and food supplements due to its aforementioned therapeutic effects.