Spice
Schinus molle
A tier
Schinus molle is the Peruvian pepper tree yielding pink peppercorns—brittle rose-coloured berries with sweet, mild peppery-resin flavour used as a finishing spice. Not true Piper pepper; cashew-family relative with different allergy considerations for some people. Use whole for colour on salads and seafood; crush lightly. Species is one of two main pink pepper sources (with S. terebinthifolia). Prefer culinary-grade dried berries.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Finish WholeLight CrushMixed PeppercornsSaladSeafood
Traits
AnacardiaceaeMildMild Sweet HeatPeruvian Pepper TreePinkResinousSweet-PepperyTrue Pink Source
History
PE
Andean regions knew Schinus molle as a spice and utility tree.
Pink berries entered wider trade as decorative pepper alternatives.
Nouvelle cuisine popularised pink peppercorns on plates.
Spice mixes routinely included Schinus molle berries.