Tasmanian Mountain Pepper or Native Pepper
Berry is not just some 'flash' name for regular
pepper grown in the mountains of Tasmania...
© Bronzewing Farm 2013-26
Tasmanian Mountain Pepper (scientifically known
as Tasmannia lanceolata) is native to Tasmania and
is a very different plant from traditional pepper spice
or capsicum-type bell-pepper, chilli or paprika.
Black pepper spice comes from a flowering vine
originating from India and Asia. Piperine provides
the spicy heat in black pepper. Chilli, paprika and
other capsicum fruits come from the Americas and
the 'heat' comes from capsaicin. Tasmanian
mountain pepper comes, oddly enough, from
Tasmania (as well as some mountainous areas of
southern Australia). The hot spicy flavour comes
from polygodial.
So, if you think you know pepper, think again, and
get a unique taste from the 'Land
Down Under' where everything turns you on your
head.