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How to Forage Gourmet Pink Peppercorns From This Common Landscape Tree

Maybe you’ve seen this ornamental evergreen tree in your neighborhood, with its sweeping willow-like branches draped in reddish-pink berries.

But did you know these berries, when ripened in fall and winter, can be foraged and dried as pink peppercorns?

Peruvian pepper tree vs. Brazilian pepper tree.

Peruvian pepper is not to be confused with its cousin, the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), which has similar berries but rounder and wider leaves resembling holly.

Where are Peruvian pink pepper trees found?

Peruvian pepper is an evergreen tree with a weeping canopy of branches, native to Northern Peru in the high desert of the Andes.

How to harvest the peppercorns?

Step 1:

Look for branches with ripe pepper tree berries.

Dry the peppercorn berries.

Step 2:

Since Peruvian pink peppercorns are relatively mild, they can be used whole in recipes without being too overpowering. They’re still spicy and peppery, but have a very fragrant, sweet-tart and rosy tone.

What can you do with pink peppercorns?

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