Mountain pepper

Mountain pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) is a small tree growing to around five metres and is found in south-eastern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Both the leaves and berries contain the compound polygodial, which gives them their characteristic hot taste. Most of the mountain pepper is wild harvested by hand, however, commercial plantations are now emerging to keep up with demand.

COOKING IDEAS
• The heat of the pepper reduces with the cooking time so add a little just before serving if you like a peppery zing. • Sprinkle mountain pepper leaf on chicken, fish, beef, pork or lamb before cooking, alone or in combination with other herbs or spices.
• Use in marinades, rub onto meat or use in a dip.
• Mountain pepper leaf goes especially well with potatoes, altough it also goes well with most vegetables and can be used in salad dressings, pasta doughs, sauces or bread.

STORAGE
Store in an airtight container in a cool dark place to preserve aroma and flavour.

SOURCES
Recipe cards from Kurrajong Native Foods sample packs, recipe cards from OzTukka five spice pack
http://www.bushtuckerstore.org
http://www.oztukka.com.au