Cubeb

A spice, Piper cubeba, also known as Java pepper and tailed pepper. It is indigenous to Java and is closely related to pepper. In flavor it is somewhat like a blend of pepper, lemon, and spice. The dried berries are similar in appearance to black pepper, but with stalks attached, the "tails" in "tailed pepper". The dried pericarp is wrinkled, and ranges in color from grayish-brown to black.
Cubebs were being imported into the Middle East before the ninth century, where they were used in medicinal blends and in cuisine. Cubebs were also used in medieval European cuisine, medicine, and magic. Cubeb is still used in the cuisines of Indonesia and Morocco, and to flavor some gins. Additionally, it is used in some perfumes.
Category:Peppers