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Peppercorns

Kampot Peppers

Kampot pepper hails from the eponymous region in southern Cambodia. This pepper-growing area enjoys an ideal tropical humid climate for pepper cultivation, with rich soil, exceptional sunlight, and traditional agricultural techniques. This terroir gives Kampot pepper its distinctive flavour. Our Kampot pepper grows on the hillsides around the secret lake, creating a unique microclimate that produces an incomparable quality of pepper, much like a fine vintage wine.

Since the 18th century, Chinese immigrants from Hainan, an island in southern China, introduced pepper cultivation to the Kampot province. When France was called upon to protect Cambodia, resulting in a protectorate that lasted 90 years, the Kampot region became synonymous with pepper for the French. Benefiting from favourable taxes, all the pepper produced in the Kampot region was exported to France.

At the end of the protectorate and particularly during the Khmer Rouge regime, Kampot pepper almost vanished. It was thanks to a few families who managed to preserve some pepper plants during this period that the story of Kampot pepper saw a revival in the early 2000s. These families maintained the ancestral traditions of cultivating this pepper and are now part of the cooperative farms of La Plantation. Since 2010, Kampot pepper has enjoyed a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), combining terroir and expertise to produce the best pepper in the world.

Kampot pepper comes in various colours, depending on the maturity and processing of each peppercorn.

Kampot Black Pepper

Kampot black pepper is derived from mature, dark green peppercorns harvested between April and June. The peppercorns are blanched and then sun-dried, developing a rich black colour. Each peppercorn is meticulously hand-selected to ensure only the largest, most perfect ones are retained.

Kampot Red Pepper

The iconic Kampot Red Pepper is made from peppercorns that have ripened on the vine, turning a beautiful red colour. These peppercorns are handpicked and carefully selected before being blanched and sun-dried. They exude rich aromas of red fruits and tobacco, making them a distinctive and prized spice from the Kampot region.

Kampot White Pepper

Kampot White Pepper is produced from fully ripened red peppercorns that have had their outer husks removed after being soaked in water overnight. This unique process, specific to the Kampot region, results in peppercorns that develop distinctive aromas of grass and lemon.

Explore our Exclusive Kampot Pepper varieties

At La Plantation, we’ve introduced other exclusive versions of Kampot Pepper, such as Fresh Kampot Pepper with Salt. These young peppercorns undergo a meticulous fermentation process with Kampot salt. The same young grains are dehydrated to produce Dehydrated Green Kampot Pepper. Simply soak it for about twenty minutes in water to restore its original texture. Additionally, our Black and White Kampot Peppers are offered in a cold-smoked version, adding a unique smoky touch to these highly aromatic peppers.

Kampot pepper is best used freshly ground over a dish. We advise against cooking it, but rather grinding it using an adjustable grinder, at the last moment. It’s during the grinding process that the essential oils and flavors are revealed. Depending on your tastes and dishes, you can choose between the different colors of Kampot Pepper or find inspiration by consulting our recipe cards.

Kampot Pepper is a highly artisanal pepper, grown organically, with low productivity per hectare. The entire process from the farm to the finished product involves a multitude of manual steps, resulting in exceptional pepper with unique aromas, recognizable among all other peppers. Kampot Pepper develops rich and subtle flavors. It doesn’t sting the tongue and has a long finish. Lastly, it benefits from a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

When looking to buy Kampot pepper, it’s advisable to opt for whole peppercorns from producers with the IGP certification, ensuring authenticity. Consider purchasing from small-scale producers or cooperative farms for quality assurance and to support local communities.

You can purchase Kampot pepper directly from La Plantation, a renowned producer cultivating Kampot pepper organically, through fair trade and in a short supply chain. Our products are available online on our website, ensuring optimal freshness and exceptional quality. Enjoy the authenticity and unique taste of Kampot pepper by shopping at La Plantation.