Blog

This year's fresh harvest from Kampot pepper fields is here! We are most proud of our fresh peppers that received the highest award, 3 stars, at the GREAT TASTE 2023 – the so-called gastro Oscars. Fall in love with green salted, lyophilized, or fermented salty peppers just like the judges and cook with them comfortably and confidently at home, as if you were visiting a Michelin-starred restaurant. You already know how to handle dried peppers in a mill. Or you can remind yourself in some of our previous articles. But from today, you will become a professional chef because we will advise you on how to work with the category of fresh Kampot peppers. Because they are all soft, they could clog your mill mechanism. Therefore, use them whole, crushed in a mortar, chopped, or broken with the flat edge of a knife. Let's start boldly with green pepper in salt bloom This is the freshest form of Kampot pepper that we can deliver to your home from the pepper fields in Cambodia. Our farmers pick the stems and sort every single berry before they, so to speak, put them into a salt brine and vacuum-pack them. For pickling, we use Fleur de Sel – hand-harvested salt from the salt pans also located in Kampot province. You will hardly need any more salt when cooking. This pepper is perfect for pepper sauce. You only need to have butter, broth, and cream at home. Gourmets also add onion and garlic. And the pepper sauce is almost world-class. Green pepper hides within itself the beginning strength of the best pepper in the world, as well as notes of tea leaves, citrus, and sea minerals. It is delicate and tender, and when bitten into your mouth, it unleashes a perfect harmony of exotic flavors. The intense pepper flavor is gradually accompanied by tones of citrus and conifers mutually connected by floral notes. Try to combine its perfect taste with dark meat, sauces, risotto, or morning eggs. The soft green grains are also suitable for pasta, casseroles, and soups. They also go very well with mild cheeses, giving them a sharper accompaniment. Another flavor very close to green is lyophilized pepper with salt You can use it as is. Or you can drizzle it with olive oil. Since it is freeze-dried, it rehydrates upon contact with liquid to its original form, and you can work with it similarly to green pickled pepper. Dried, it creates a gastronomic delight in pasta, sauces, soups, and meat. If you like to experiment, don't hesitate to use it finely crushed in desserts. You wouldn't believe the flavor symphony it creates combined with panna cotta and forest fruits. Traditional cuisine advocates can crush it in a mortar or use it whole when working with dark meat, light meat, game, and also fish. It refreshes pasta, baked dishes with cheese and mushrooms, and also sauces. It deserves its place in autumn soups as well. Looking for a new pepper flavor? Then reach for fermented salted pepper It is no coincidence that we call it the king of cold cuisine or pepper caviar. Both because of its appearance and its flavor profile, which closely approaches umami – the so-called fifth taste. Fermented pepper hides a whole palette of flavors – from salty, through spicy, to pleasantly salty or slightly sour. You want to bite into this pepper because it doesn’t burn, but tastes perfect.  It finds its place in cold cuisine, as well as with side dishes and meat seasoning. Whether it’s about leafy salads, pasta, or potato salads, not just on holidays. Because it is soft to the bite, you can elevate homemade sandwiches and festive amuse-bouches – canapés for connoisseurs.  The king of cold cuisine’s power extends even further – from cheese platters with a glass of wine to seasoning finished steaks from the pan or grill. As a proper delicacy, it can also be eaten alone during evening movies instead of nuts or unhealthy chips. TIP: Try freeze-dried flakes of fermented Kampot pepper for convenient gourmets.

The grilling season has finally kicked into full gear, so it's time to think about new recipes that will blow everyone away as the top grillmaster. This season, fresh flavors are trending, which don't have to be hidden only in salads or drinks, but can also be sneaked onto the hot grill. Our fresh green pepper will help you with that. You can find green pepper from us in several varieties: lyophilized, meaning freeze-dried fresh pepper. Also fermented pepper or green pepper in a brine solution. Although they are always juicy and mildly spicy green peppercorns, the way they are processed differs, and thus the possibilities of how to use them on the grill vary. Lyophilized pepper Lyophilized pepper is green pepper stripped of all moisture. Therefore, you don't have to be afraid to put it in a mortar, lightly crush it, and add it, for example, to a marinade or season meat directly with it. The dried and thirsty fragments of pepper will start to absorb juice from the meat or sauce and perfectly enhance the taste of the meat or your favorite pepper sauce – so iconic for the grilling season. Fresh green pepper in brine If you are among those who like to play not only with meat directly on the grill but also enjoy perfecting the sauces served with it, then this pepper is just for you. The fresh taste of pepper will boost the sauce, add it a gentle spiciness, freshness, and excellent flavor balance that pairs so well with meat. The taste of green pepper also shines best in the simplest sauces, so you don't have to think too long about its preparation. Fermented green pepper The best for last. There's nothing like placing a plate of freshly grilled meat in front of hungry friends. They will already be excited, but you still have one last trick up your sleeve. When you serve the meat on the plate, sprinkle it with a final touch in the form of fermented pepper, which will perfume the whole dish, give it the characteristic taste of fresh green pepper, and a pleasant kick that will tickle the tongue. This pepper is wonderfully practical, it doesn't require Grinder, and when you have it handy at a barbecue, you can easily sprinkle any dish with it, instantly giving it a fresh pepper flavor thanks to a few soft and delicate little berries!

This type of our Kampot salt is literally at the top of the flavor pyramid. Its shape resembles beautiful large pyramid crystals. These rare gourmet pieces of salt flakes won the Great Taste award this year not only for their beautiful appearance but above all for their excellent taste, which the judges described as floral, fresh, pleasant, and delicately crunchy when bitten, with a perfectly balanced saltiness. In Brief It is the perfect partner and complement to our Kampot peppers because just like quality pepper, which is meant to taste more than to burn, quality salt is meant to taste more than just to season. And what exactly does Salt Flakes mean? It refers to the largest salt pyramids, or flake salt, collected from the surface of sea salt pans, where salt is obtained from seawater with the help of sunlight. The sun evaporates the seawater, and on its surface, the salt crystallizes into neat crystals resembling snowflakes. That’s why this salt is called flake salt. It reaches maximum purity, has a balanced composition, and its harvesting leaves no carbon footprint because all the work must be done by hand due to the fragility of the crystals. Production is therefore very limited, and this flake salt is not commonly used like regular rock salt that we buy in stores. Moreover, it is again gathered by traditional farming families from Kampot in a sustainable and ecological way. What is it used for? The largest crystals in the shape of flakes have a pyramid form and are most often used for the final finishing touch of cooked dishes during plating, that is, when the plate is transformed into a small artistic work. The crystals themselves can also be tasted on their own — they are very delicious and pleasant, so you don’t have to be afraid even of larger pieces. Not only does a dish with salt crystals that replace the proverbial cherry on top look great, but thanks to its purity and unique flavor profile, the salt also perfectly enhances its taste. The crystals are beautifully flat, so they dissolve faster and more evenly. Flake salt is suitable for both savory and sweet dishes. There is nothing better than chocolate mousse or baskets decorated with salty caramel and delicate salty flakes, which clearly show that you really take your culinary art seriously and want to properly care for your guests.

We have shown you several times that pepper does not have to be just a spice in your kitchen to season steak or sauce. With this magical treasure from Kampot, you can conjure in various ways. And adding it to coffee or ice cream is just the beginning. Pepper also finds its use in cosmetics, where it works great in hair and skin care. Black pepper is rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, and also vitamins C and K Thanks to the presence of vitamin C, pepper is extremely rich in antioxidants and also has antibacterial and antibiotic effects. The oil obtained from black pepper can thus be used for skin treatment, as a prevention against wrinkles, and it also helps to remove pigmentation. Crushed black pepper can also be used as a peeling, helping for example with healing scars and acne spots Thanks to its antiseptic effects, it also aids overall healing and cleansing of the skin. However, it is important to remember that not every type of skin reacts well to pepper. Initially, approach its application on the skin with caution and combine it with carrier substances that you know your skin tolerates well. Take advantage of the beneficial black pepper also on the scalp and to strengthen your hair roots  Black pepper can help with the removal of dandruff, improve hair quality, and even support the growth of new hair. To increase the effect, you can also add a few citrus seeds to the mixture, which also help fight dandruff and refresh your scalp. Keep in mind that it is important to combine pepper with a carrier substance so that the pepper is not too concentrated – for example, with jojoba or apricot oil. Are you interested in more beneficial effects of pepper on your body? Read for example an article about the beneficial effects of piperine.

Piperine, also known as Bioperine, is a substance found in every grain of black Kampot pepper. It is an alkaloid that can contribute to improving our bodily health thanks to its undeniable benefits. And it does so in many ways. Let's take a look at the five most common ones! 1. Nutrient Absorption Piperine has the special ability to help increase the body's capacity to absorb nutrients. This means that the body can handle the nutrients we consume much better and extract more from them. Examples include turmeric and the curcumin contained in it, as well as vitamins A and C, selenium, vitamin B6, beta-carotene, and others, which perform the same well-deserved function. 2. Faster Metabolism Increased nutrient absorption leads to improved metabolic processes in the body. Thanks to better thermogenesis, the body breaks down fat cells more easily. If a person consumes piperine for the purpose of losing weight and at the same time follows a proper nutritional plan, this substance can significantly assist in the correct course. 3. Production of Dopamine and Serotonin Piperine contributes to higher production of these two substances, which help overall mental well-being and thus improve mood. Don’t expect miracles, but it never hurts to make your day a little more pleasant with a bit of pepper. 4. Better Memory If you often forget things, piperine can help here too. Serotonin and so-called beta-endorphin play a significant role in memory abilities. Thanks to the higher presence of these chemicals in the body, our brain functions better and its memory is trained. Just don’t forget to have a bit of that pepper every now and then. :-) At the same time, piperine is capable of supporting other mental functions, such as attention and thinking ability. 5. Support of the Immune System Our immune system can have slow but also too fast responses. Piperine can bring the reaction time of lymphocytes to the right level and thus contribute to better health of our body. Moreover, it is also able to reduce stress, which also negatively affects health. Also keep in mind that neither Kampot pepper nor other exceptional and healthy ingredients are saviors of our diet or lifestyle. Although they bring many health benefits, in the case of real health problems it is always best to consult a doctor.

Enjoying food that is thoroughly scented and seasoned with pepper, or preparing food where random explosions of pepper flavor occur during consumption? A question you can answer by adjusting your grinder. The finer you grind the pepper into the dish, the more it will be intertwined throughout its content. On the other hand, larger fragments will be like small packets full of flavor surprises, where you will never be sure when you will encounter them while eating. Let's take a look together at what the individual sizes of ground peppercorns cause in a dish. Whole Pepper Using whole peppercorns makes the most sense if you want to add a gentle taste and aroma of pepper to your dish. It is suitable for use in soups, marinades, sauces, and also when roasting larger pieces of meat. With a whole peppercorn, you are sure of the freshest content hidden beneath the surface of its shell. Large Fragments If you crush a peppercorn into 5 to 6 larger pieces, you get a beautiful decorative element for the top of your creamy soups, pasta, or plates with sauce. At the same time, you prepare a refined surprise full of unexpected pepper flavor, which will add a completely new fun level to your food. Coarsely Ground A rich pepper flavor, where not only the sharpness of the pepper stands out but especially its other taste and aromatic tones, will be ensured by coarsely ground pepper. Especially with Kampot pepper, you will be able to enjoy its unique flavor, which will not be unnecessarily overwhelmed by spiciness. We recommend this grinding! Medium-Coarse Ground If you sometimes go to a restaurant and pour the contents of the pepper shaker from the table onto your hand, in most cases you will get medium-coarse ground pepper. This is the most commonly known way to lightly season a dish after final preparation. It is suitable for lighter dishes such as chicken, sauces, or salad dressings based on yogurt or mayonnaise. Finely Ground Pepper A smooth, almost powdery consistency allows you to season a dish without the pepper being almost noticeable in the food. However, do not be fooled by this subtlety. By grinding the pepper very finely, you bring out its sharp character the most. The ideal choice wherever you want to add a little heat and hide the pepper, from various dressings to soups. The flavor accent here somewhat fades, and generally, we do not recommend this grinding much because the too fine powder can be slightly suffocating. Our tip: Take a look at the section of our grinders, which will flawlessly help you grind Kampot pepper and salt in all sizes. :-)

Pepper is an indispensable part of many world cuisines, including ours. However, even the most experienced local chefs and cooks might be surprised at how much true Kampot pepper can enhance the taste of traditional Czech dishes. It is, however, necessary to know how to work with pepper – especially with the exceptional pepper from Kampot – . Whole or crushed grains? It is generally known that while it is better to add most spices whole to slowly cooked sauces, when grilling or frying, it is better to apply coarsely crushed spices to meat or vegetables. This exact approach also applies to pepper. It is important to remember that  Kampot pepper due to its complex and strong aroma combined with pronounced spiciness, is better added to sauces in a form that will release its essential oils and flavor gradually. It is therefore good to put whole peppercorns into a cheesecloth and let them heat thoroughly in the sauce for a longer time so that through their hard shell they release their treasures slowly. However, if we want all the taste and scent of the pepper to quickly permeate the seasoning, it is good to take a Grinder and crush the pepper. Here it is also necessary to keep in mind that the finer the pepper is crushed, the more intense the flavor will be, and its spiciness will fully manifest. On the other hand, larger pieces of pepper will bring more exotic aromas and flavors to the dish. The right timing Proper timing is another very important factor. As mentioned before, whole grains release their aroma gradually, which means that for an intense flavor it is good to add whole peppercorns to the food as early as possible. In the case of crushed grains, it is ideal to add the peppercorns so that they heat up and release their essential oils but do not burn, because burnt fragments of pepper could become bitter and spoil the taste of the dish. When you add Kampot pepper directly on the plate, you will enjoy its aroma the most. We therefore recommend getting one of our  beautiful grinders, which are a lovely decoration for any dining table.

Most of us perceive pepper as a spice that perfectly flavors every dish, but pepper can also be used in other ways. It has been shown that it is an excellent ant repellent and can also keep the colors of your laundry in perfect condition for a long time. Below you will find 4 unconventional ways to use pepper. 1. Protection Against Pests Almost every gardener knows how unpleasant it is to see a harvest devastated by pests such as aphids or other creatures. Some solve this problem with chemical sprays, which, however, partially get into the crops themselves. However, it is enough to prepare a strong infusion of cinnamon and pepper and treat the plants with the resulting solution. This will deter many pests and your harvest will be perfectly protected. 2. Special Ant Repellent Pepper can also be an effective protector of your home and pantry against perpetually hungry ants. Around the area that should be off-limits to ants, simply place grains of white or black pepper. They create an impenetrable barrier that convinces diligent ants to try their luck elsewhere. 3. Product Against Laundry Fading But it’s not only plants or food that pepper can protect brilliantly. If you like colorful fashion and it annoys you that the vibrancy of colors fades with every wash, try another pepper trick. Before washing, add a teaspoon of peppercorns to the laundry, which have the ability to keep the color in place. 4. “Treat ” for Uninvited Guests at the Bird Feeder During winter, many of us feed birds with grains. From time to time, a squirrel might visit the feeder, but it doesn’t leave a single grain for the birds. As you probably guess, if you add a bit of pepper to the mix, the squirrel will quickly reconsider where to hold its feasts. Birds pick through the grains and eat those they like. However, squirrels like to stuff everything quickly into their cheek pouches, unaware of the exotic surprise hidden inside them. And since squirrels are not big fans of pepper, they quickly learn that the contents of your feeder are not attractive to them.

The covid era closed most of us at home for some time. We found out that our surroundings are divided into two types of "home workers". The first ones get up, get dressed, and sometimes even put on makeup as if they were going to work. Dressed like this, they then sit down at their laptops. And then there is the second type, who quickly change from pajamas into home sweatpants and, completely disheveled, sit down at their machines with an unfinished coffee five minutes before the meeting starts. Which group do you belong to? At home, one has much more time for experiments – even when cooking One way or another – one thing must be admitted about this strange time. Suddenly, a person only commutes from bed to the work desk, which means they have significantly more time. We decided to use this time productively and boldly embarked on culinary experiments at a higher level. Before we realized the madness of pepper, we used whatever pepper we had at home. But as soon as we replaced our "home" pepper with white Kampot pepper, any of our dishes were elevated from "excellent" to a "ticket to gastronomic heaven". And then there was no stopping us – we took pepper after pepper and tried what Kampot pepper would do to fish, our favorite spread, and how beef would react to it. It probably won't surprise you that the result was always fabulous. Take advantage of the current situation and experiment! Whether alone, with a partner, family, or friends, season your favorite recipes with Kampot pepper and elevate them to a new level. Your reward will not only be a satisfied stomach and an unforgettable taste experience but also the fact that with every turn of the grinder, you make the world a little bit better. Kampot pepper is exclusively sourced from farmers who are already like family to us. They share their concerns with us in these difficult times because due to coronavirus, they have been cut off from the world and tourists. So when you purchase our Kampot pepper, you bring joy not only to yourself or your loved ones but also to our farmers, showing them that their efforts are not in vain.

“I would like a coffee, with milk and black pepper, thank you.” Almost every waiter in a café would just stare incredulously at the customer after such an order and wonder if the person was joking. Believe it or not, however, black coffee surprisingly goes well with pepper, similar to many other ingredients. So if you are among those who like things a little differently, you will definitely enjoy today's article. Who would have thought that pepper would go perfectly with ice cream It’s not that black beans are crushed with milk and then frozen, but if you crush fresh and quality pepper — for example, the red Kampot pepper — and lightly sprinkle it especially on ice creams with added fruit components, you will most likely be pleasantly surprised. For instance, red pepper can pleasantly support and enhance the fruity taste in ice cream. Don’t be afraid of peppery breakfasts — even sweet ones There is a particularly friendly relationship mainly with red fruit, especially forest berries, strawberries, and other berries that ripen in the summer months. Pepper gives the sunshine hidden in them a slightly fiery touch, which personally delights us immensely. If you are not among those who skip breakfast and like to eat healthily, you have probably already had the honor of eating oatmeal. However, oatmeal can get boring over time. At that moment, a pinch of pepper comes into play, which gives the oats an interesting flavor and also supports your effort to maintain a healthy diet and lose a few kilograms. A healthy treat in moderate amounts can also be our natural nut butter with red pepper. But who would have thought that a little pepper would wonderfully enhance the nutty flavor, making the butter an even better treat that you can add to oatmeal or smoothies. Black pepper belongs in coffee and yogurt Yogurt prepared in a savory way is definitely a healthy option. For example, Greek yogurt with a bit of garlic and flavorful unique black pepper can be an unusual alternative to sweet yogurts. It also pairs excellently as a sauce for vegetables. And last but not least, let’s return to that unusual customer request in the café. Pepper really goes surprisingly well with coffee. And if you add a few crushed wrinkled peppercorns to your beloved espresso, you will definitely leave the café refreshed and full of energy — like a little devil out of the box.

Do you remember the last time you terribly confused someone? That's exactly what will happen to you with our black pepper. If you expect it to be most similar to the pepper you buy in the supermarket, we recommend pouring out our and any other bag of whole black pepper onto a white plate and visually comparing the peppercorns at first glance. Pepper with a capital P A huge, hard, full, dense, juicy, dark black ball on one plate. A small, shriveled, dull, very light, empty, and possibly even broken ball on the second plate. Black pepper is the most well-known form of the fruits of the Piper nigrum plant. Our farmers handpick it at the beginning of the season as unripe green berries. The harvesting process of this pepper is the simplest among the three basic Kampot peppers – it is picked along entire stems, not just the berries, as is the case with red pepper. Thanks to natural fermentation and drying in the sun, the berries turn black and develop their full flavor. The dark black berries are soaked with intense scents of eucalyptus, thyme, mint, and the camphor typical for Cambodia with tones of sweet pears. When ground, the berries also gain a fresh hint of citrus, which is why Italians love it on their pasta. What to create with black pepper in the kitchen so it’s not boring It definitely won’t be. On the contrary, its complex full pepper flavor makes it a bestseller that you can use almost on anything without having to think long about pairing it with food. Fry, grill, stew, preferably with meat! Black Kampot pepper likes these heat treatments and shines even more. It suits steaks, red meats, classic sauces, soups, but above all any pasta. Without our pepper, most Italian restaurants can’t start their day! In Czech cuisine, it is the most popular of all peppers – it highlights the taste of classic svíčková (marinated beef) as well as strong goulash.

We invited the famous Italian chef Matteo De Carli to a barbecue – we were interested in how the best actually grill. The result surprised us! Simple combinations, a few quality ingredients, and it was ready in minutes. What did we learn from him? Don’t wait and surprise your guests before the grilling  Before we even heated the grill, Matteo made a five-minute salmon carpaccio with lemon, herbs, and  red Kampot pepper – this completely blew us away and satisfied the first hungry guests for a while. A few quality ingredients are enough  Matteo then began placing an unusual combination on the grill – octopus, juicy chicken steak, large pieces of potatoes, vegetables, and garlic – all seasoned only with quality salt and Kampot pepper. Homemade sauce  Forget store-bought sauces and prepare your own in advance – for example from  freeze-dried Kampot pepper – it’s so great that the ladies even tried it with watermelon; it basically goes with everything for dipping! Matteo reduced it with plum brandy, and the resulting taste was more than surprising. Freshness Meat alone is not enough! Make a fresh salad with strawberries as a base, then place veggie and meat options on top according to the guests’ preferences. Because when you grill simply and with fresh ingredients, you only need one thing – the final flavor, which is the figurative golden dot – for example freshly ground pepper on anything you put on the grill. Combination of flavors  Sweet, salty, sour, bitter – combine flavors, don’t separate them! That’s why a vegetable salad with sweet fruit on top works so well, that’s why guests rave about ice cream unexpectedly sprinkled with  fresh red pepper  – any extra flavor in food elevates it to the next level – don’t be afraid to experiment and you’ll be the chef of all barbecues! Buon Appetito!