A warming, stimulating oil, Pink Peppercorn is steam distilled from the fruit of the Schinus mole.
This popular spice was considered sacred to the ancient Incas and has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years.
Pink Peppercorn (Schinus molle), also known as the Peruvian peppertree, peppercorn tree and Californian pepper tree is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. It’s an evergreen tree that grows up to 9 metres in height by 7 metres in width. It is native to the Peruvian Andes.
Chains of cream flowers appear at the end of the branches in summer followed by peppercorns, which turn pink in autumn and are referred to as ‘pink peppercorns’ although they are not true peppercorns. Pink peppercorns have a citrus flavour and are much more fragrant.
Shinus molle grows wild throughout most of Australia in a range of habitats from grasslands to dry open forest and coastal areas. The branches tend to droop which gives the tree a weeping effect. It is found as a bush in dry lands but reaches tree size in dry river beds with accessible underground water. It is an evergreen that has a graceful fern like foliage.
This tree grows well in the sun and is drought tolerant so can still flourish with only occasional watering. All parts of the tree have high oil and essential oil contents that produce a spicy, aromatic scent.
