One of the amazing things about having a truly global market is the ability to bring in spices and ingredients from all over the world. In the not too distant past, most people consumed traditional black peppercorns or perhaps a more exotic blend of black, red, and white peppercorns.
Today, it is possible to purchase peppercorns from pink to Szechuan and a wide range of varieties in between. One of the newest types of peppercorns available in the USA today is the Kampot peppercorn, considered one of the finest peppers produced anywhere in the world.
The Basics
The Kampot peppercorn is only grown in Cambodia, specifically in the Province of Kampot and in Kep Province. Even within those two geographic locations, this pepper plant is only produced in a few places.
It is a cultivar of the black pepper, but it is harvested in green, black, red, and white colors and varieties, all of which are found on the same plant. The different soils, storage methods, and even the specific plants are unique and contribute to the grade and quality of pepper sold on the market.
There is a Kampot Pepper Producers Association that provides inspections of all pepper plantations. All Kampot peppercorn sold must be certified by Eco-Cert, and only accredited plantations can sell their peppercorns under the Kampot designation.
Kampot pepper is one of the central ingredients in Kampot Pepper Crab, and it is also used in different stir fry recipes throughout the region. It is also featured in Kampot Pepper Rum, which only uses the red peppercorns to create the sweet but spicy flavor that makes these peppercorns so sought after.
