The best pepper in the world would be African!

There is a wide variety of peppers in the world, for all tastes and colors, however the so-called original peppers are the most appreciated.

The Top 3 best peppers in the world

Number 1: Kampot , in the south of Cambodia, first to benefit from a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Number 2: Penja from Cameroon, an incomparable pepper and one of the rare ones to benefit from a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), a designation of origin and quality awarded by the European Union.

Number 3: Tellicherry TGSEB (Tellicherry Garbled Special Extra Bold), originally from the Malabar coast of India.

Penja pepper is considered by many chefs to be the best pepper in the world , following numerous blind tests where it won the majority of votes.

Like the great chefs, it's up to you to (re)discover Penja Pepper.

What is Penja Pepper?

The pepper tree is a vine that grows on a stake. When ripe, its berry is dried in the sun and becomes black pepper.

Coming from a naturally rich and balanced volcanic terroir, Penja pepper is exceptional in its character and flavor .

Specially cultivated and selected according to the ancestral traditions of Penja , it enjoys enormous success with connoisseurs and amateurs.

Penja pepper is named after its town of origin, Penja, a volcanic region which is 70 km from Douala, in the Littoral province, Cameroon .

Due to its characteristics, Penja pepper is considered the best pepper in the world . It belongs to the Piper Nigrum family which includes “real” peppers such as Belém pepper.

What is the correct color of Penja Pepper?

Black or white , Penja pepper is very appreciated for its many virtues. This very well-known variety of Cameroonian pepper is distinguished by its character and flavor. It essentially has some animal notes and menthol aromas which make it a gastronomic success in several countries around the world. Proudly bearing the nickname “bird pepper”, Penja pepper also invites you on a most impressive taste journey.

Penja Black Pepper is an unripe pepper; it is picked green and dried in the sun for 30 days.

Penja White pepper is a mature pepper, it is picked red , it is soaked in spring water from the volcanic soil where it is cultivated, once the pericarp is removed, it is dried in the sun for a few days.

Who discovered Penja Pepper?

The legend has several versions. One of the most plausible would be that the discovery of Penja pepper would come from Antoine Decré, a banana planter in Penja. During the period of colonization, this Frenchman decided to plant some Piper Negrum lianas from India, on the volcanic lands of Penja. After seeing that his pepper was of better quality, he expanded his cultivation to other towns in the region. Thus would begin the legend of Penja Pepper.

What are the virtues of Penja Pepper?

Pepper is an essential spice in the cuisine of chefs and ordinary people. Indeed, in addition to being delicious and full of flavor, pepper is also a medicinal plant with a large number of health benefits and has medicinal properties.

The benefits of Penja Pepper

Black pepper stimulates the taste buds on the tongue, which act on the stomach by increasing the secretion of hydrochloric acid. This is why black pepper can effectively support digestion. Chewing pepper before a meal or eating it can reduce flatulence and bloating caused by excessive gas digestion.

2) Calms stomach pain

Black pepper is an excellent natural remedy to help treat gastrointestinal disorders . Indeed, regular consumption in your meals can help combat a certain number of problems such as: stomach pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, flatulence.

3) Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties

Aminata Andrieux, naturopath specializing in micronutrition, indicated that “numerous studies have demonstrated that piperine, the organic component of pepper, has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties”. Known to relieve dental pain or arthritis, piperine is also a good antioxidant.

4) Natural antidepressant

According to a study conducted on mice, piperine, which is a natural component of black pepper, could increase the level of serotonin in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. But also the level of endorphins in the brain, which would help reduce pain and promote good mood .

How to use Penja pepper in cooking?

Please note, it is recommended not to buy already ground pepper . In fact, pepper, like other spices, fades when it is powdered and then loses its taste qualities.

The best way to consume pepper is to buy peppercorns and grind or crush them yourself in a mortar and cook or eat them straight away to appreciate the richness of the aromas.

How to match Penja Pepper?

Sweet and refined, Penja Pepper goes well with both meat and fish . This is how Penja Pepper goes perfectly with the musky flavors of pork, it gives vigor to beef, depth to game, and enhances the finesse of fish.

Also, the pairing of Penja Pepper with chocolate is an eternal wonder for the taste buds.

How to recognize a good Penja Pepper?

To recognize the quality of good Penja pepper, you must avoid ground pepper which is not in the specifications and does not guarantee the quality of the product.

The secret of good Penja Pepper lies in the seed and the subtle aromas of Penja Pepper.

To make a good purchase , it is strongly recommended that you only obtain your supplies from distributors approved by the European Union or directly from the association of Penja Pepper planters who hold the IGP (protected geographical indication), a designation of origin and quality attributed by the European Union.

Who produces the best Penja Pepper?

Marjolaine DJOUKWÉ has ​​been the major producer of exceptional Poivre de Penja IGP Grand Cru for around fifteen years.

This Franco-Cameroonian businesswoman describes herself as an unstoppable entrepreneur. She has just been published in the famous international magazine Amina mag.

Indeed, in addition to being a farmer, Marjolaine who founded the exceptional delicatessen brand Elie & Marjolaine , Marjolaine is also a trainer in agri-food processing and sustainable and profitable Agribusiness, trainer in exotic delicatessens, Oenologist , Sommelier and Certified professional wine taster, Trainer in knowledge of wines consistent with sub-Saharan and Caribbean gastronomy, Author of three books and Mother of three boys.

Where to buy good Penja Pepper?

Trust the Élie & Marjolaine Penja Pepper which is the brand of Penja Pepper that all the great chefs compete for, available at Kemet Market .

J ustine IMBERT and Pascal BARNOUIN are the chefs who recommend Penja Pepper available online on the website www.kemetmarket.com

“ I am grateful to have these great chefs by my side to promote the exceptional Penja Pepper. They knew how to give Penja pepper its place in French and international gastronomy , ” Marjolaine DJOUKWÉ, farmer and producer of exceptional Penja Pepper IGP Grand Cru.

Today Penja Pepper has gained recognition and many fake Penja peppers are circulating online and on markets in Europe . This is why on September 24, 2022, the Secretary of the European Union, Philippe VADAMME opened a monitoring and control service within the European Union and in Africa.

Anyone who markets Penja pepper must provide their supplier's certificate of approval and must be registered as a customer within the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) association.

Now it's your turn to taste one of the best peppers in the world, authentic Penja Pepper !