Mountain Pepperberry

 

Tasmannia lanceolata

Tasmanian pepper or Mountain pepper is an attractive bush that grows 2-5 metres high and 1-2 metres wide.  It’s deep red stems and glossy leaves make it a beautiful plant for the garden in cooler climates of Australia.  You will find them growing naturally around southern New South Wales in Victoria and Tasmania.

Dried berries make a wonderful substitute for conventional black pepper.

Producing aromatic leaves and small fleshy berries, both of which can be used in cooking as a flavour enhancer. The berries and leaves can be used fresh or dried in cooking and work beautifully with soups, stews marinades and sauces.

The berries and leaves offer amazing health benefits – high levels of antioxidants as well as being high in Vitamin E, calcium, zinc, folate, magnesium, iron and lutein.

Traditionally, used for its antiseptic properties and it’s flavour, Mountain pepper has a long history of use by Indigenous Australians as food and as medicine.

In the Garden

The plants prefer a protected position sheltered from frosts, winds and hot afternoon sun.  Being dioecious, you will need to plant a male and female beside each other if you want to be able to grow the berries. A wonderful plant to add to your home edible garden.  Check with your native plant specialist to find out if Mountain pepper will be suitable for your garden.

 

Mountain Pepperberry features in the ETCH Sparkling MTN flavour. SHOP MTN HERE