The Surprising Pink Peppercorn-Producing Pepper Tree
Have you ever noticed those beautiful weeping trees with cascading pink berry clusters in neighborhoods or parks? They are actually pepper trees that produce edible pink peppercorns!
These ornamental pepper trees are native to Peru and parts of Brazil but can now be found in warm climates worldwide. Their scientific name is Schinus molle or Schinus terebinthifolius depending on the species. Schinus molle goes by common names like Peruvian pepper tree California pepper tree, American pepper tree, and pepperberry tree.
The most distinctive feature of these trees is their long drooping branches that give them a graceful, willow-like appearance. The branches are covered in delicate, lacy green foliage that sways delicately in the breeze. Throughout the year, they produce panicles of tiny white blooms that attract pollinators.
But the real showstoppers appear in fall and winter – clusters of bright pink berries that dangle like decorative jewels from the wispy branches These vivid pink drupes are actually the source of pink peppercorns! Technically the peppercorns are the tiny seeds surrounded by a pink papery covering inside each berry,
While the tree is ornamental, the peppercorns are completely edible and taste similar to black peppercorns but with fruity, more complex flavors. The pink peppercorns can be dried and used as a spice to lend a subtly spicy, sweet and floral kick to all kinds of dishes, especially seafood, meat, chocolate and desserts.
Pink peppercorns were banned in the 1980s after some reported adverse reactions. However, this was linked to Brazilian pepper trees, while Peruvian pepper trees are now considered non-toxic. Just avoid them if you have tree nut allergies since they are in the cashew family.
Foraging Pink Peppercorns
Foraging pink peppercorns is easy if you can find Peruvian pepper trees in your area. They grow best in warm climates without freezing winters. Some places to look are California, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other USDA zones 9-11.
The best time to harvest peppercorns is fall through early winter when the berries turn reddish pink, indicating ripeness. You can collect them right off backyard trees or public trees. Cut off some dangling berry clusters still attached to branches.
At home, pull off the ripe pink berries with your fingers. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate. Leave them somewhere warm like the kitchen counter for around a week until shriveled and dried. The papery outer shell may separate from the inner seed, leaving you with wrinkly pink peppercorns ready for grinding.
Culinary Uses
Dried pink peppercorns can be kept in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Grind them up with a mortar and pestle or electric spice grinder. They have a mild spicy bite and sweet, fruity flavor with floral and citrusy notes.
Pink peppercorns enhance seafood like salmon and tilapia, poultry, pork, salsas, salad dressings, vegetables, cheese and eggs. Their sweetness works beautifully in desserts too. Try them in shortbread cookies, brownies, ice cream or macerated berries. Whole pink peppercorns can also be used to infuse vinegars, spirits and pickling brines.
Growing Pink Peppercorn Trees
Can’t find wild pepper trees? You can actually grow your own! Schinus molle is suitable for USDA zones 9-11. Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly until established then just occasionally. Feed with slow release fertilizer in spring. Prune annually for shape.
Give this unique tree up to 10 years to start producing those coveted pink peppercorns. Once mature, a single tree can provide enough peppercorns for at-home use. Add a beautiful ornamental specimen tree and a year-round free spice source to your yard.
The next time you see cascades of pink berries on a graceful weeping tree, don’t dismiss it as just landscaping. Those colorful clusters actually hold a delicious edible and medicinal bounty in the form of pink peppercorns! Keep an eye out for pepper trees and try harvesting some peppercorns for yourself.
Flowers, fruit and seeds
In the spring, groups of white flowers appear. These flowers then give rise to grape-like clusters of small, red-pink fruits that are 5–7 millimeters across and hang from the tree. The bunches that look like grapes can be up to 30 centimeters long, and when they’re fully colored, they stand out very much. These fruits persist on the tree for months, turning cream-yellow as they dry. Each fruit contains a small, spherical, brown-black seed, 3–5 millimetres across – the peppercorn.
Pink peppercorn or peppercorn tree
In Australia, the pink peppercorn tree is planted as a street tree and ornamental tree all the way from Townsville in Queensland to Alice Spring and then to Carnarvon in Western Australia. It can survive in dry conditions and flower and fruit for long periods of time, making it easy to get a spice whenever you need it. Originally from northern South America, it is now found in warm climates all over the world.
You can easily recognize this tree by its smell. If you crush the leaves, you’ll immediately notice the strong, unforgettable scent of green pepper, which is sweet, spicy, and floral.
In Australia, there are two types of peppercorn trees: Schinus molle, which has small leaves and is widely found and eaten; and Schinus terebinthifolia, which has larger leaves and is found in warmer areas but is not thought to be edible.
This is a beautiful evergreen pink peppercorn tree that can grow up to 12 meters tall and has a wide canopy with a weeping shape. It has long branches, and the red-pink berries look beautiful in the garden when they’re in season.
Long, feathery, compound leaves with fifteen to forty-one leaflets are arranged in pairs on the stem and hang from the branches that are drooping.
Sacred Peruvian (California) Peppertree – Schinus molle
FAQ
Can you eat pink peppercorns off the tree?
Can you use peppercorns from a pepper tree?
Can you eat the pepper from a California pepper tree?
What is the difference between a Peruvian pepper tree and a Brazilian peppertree?