Yes, black gold indeed! We planted Tasmanian pepperberries outside the cooking school after the potoroos, wallabies and possums considered the vegetable garden we originally planted there were part of a lovely smorgasbord for their enjoyment. They are not so keen to feast on the pepperberries.
This is the first year the bushes have produced so prolifically. The ones drying on trays represent only about a quarter of what needs to be picked from just a few bushes.
I’ll make some pepper berry gin, but mostly dry them to use in all sorts of dishes. One of my favourite things to do is to grind them once dried, and sprinkle over bread rolls before baking. Simply sumptuous.
The leaves can be dried also and used similarly. Definitely one of the best things we ever planted.
Hi Sally, I add pepper berries to my home made Romano and asiagi cheeses for a wonderful peppery taste and wonderful leech of crimson colour…
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Hi Sally my maiden name is Debbie Wise, l grew up in Lake Macquarie NSW. l would like to know if you could tell me how to clean and dry the pepperberriew as l have some trees, as long as you don’t mind. Thank you Deb
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Hi Debbie. We just rinse the berries then air dry them in large shallow cardboard boxes (single layer), turning each day. Best wishes, Sally
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How long do you dry them for? I picked about a handful in the bush today.
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Hi Jill – it varies – might take a couple of weeks or more. Regards, Sally
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