Are you familiar with the Natural Origins cubeb pepper chain? This spice, called Piper cubeba L. from the Piperaceae family, is sourced in Indonesia, in Magelang, in the province of Central Java.

An exceptional terroir for a rare product

In the heart of the forests and far from any pollution, we have chosen a several dozen square kilometres exclusive terroir for our pepper plants. As a result, our condiment grows in an unspoilt area, giving it a unique flavour and exceptional organoleptic properties.

The pepper botanical grows by wrapping its long vines (up to ten metres high) around a tree, which it needs to grow. This makes it difficult to pick the bunches, as you have to climb quite high up the trunk’s supporting stake.

At Natural Origins, when discovering our supply chain, we attach great importance to meeting our partners. In Indonesia, they are very keen to preserve the cubeb pepper, as it is an endangered botanical, and they are trying to combat its disappearance. United with all the pepper pickers, our local employees work to guarantee the sustainability and development of production.

Our cubeb pepper sourcing: a responsible supply chain, Fair for Life and For Life

Natural Origins has obtained two certifications:

• the Fair for Life programme for fair trade and responsible procurement
• and the standard For Life certification for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in 2017 as an intermediary trader.

In 2022, we  achieved a score of 89.5% (compared with 88% in 2021) and five leaves, the highest level For Life certification.

In order to increase the value of our partners' work without affecting their know-how, we have offered them solutions tailored to their resources, including the For Life label, which supports our joint approach and creates jobs for local people. The traditional methods we have established help to improve living conditions and increase their income.

Our cubeb pepper production mode

At Natural Origins, we act responsibly by investing in artisanal harvesting and drying methods. Our priority is to protect the environment while offering you a chemical-free spice with intact organoleptic properties.

There are seven stages in our production process:

1. First of all, the fresh berries are harvested by hand
2. Then, cleaned at the farmers' premises
3. And boiled in water for 15 minutes
4. The baskets are then taken to collection areas managed by the farmers' association
5. Here, the cubeb pepper berries are dried naturally in the sun
6. We then sort our ingredients manually and mechanically
7. Before a final metal detection stage

Natural Origins has optimised its working methods to guarantee impeccable quality for this precious ingredient, while ensuring a sustainable procurement supply chain.

Specificity of soil cultivation

This specific type of mixed farming is known as a "jungle garden".

This means that it consists of 7 plots of associated crops:

1. fruit
2. coconuts
3. wood
4. cardamom
5. roots
6. coconut sugar
7. aromatic herbs

The advantages of this polyculture are:

• the reduction of CO² emissions
• the development of biodiversity
• and sustainable income for the farmers
  
  

The farmers' cooperative enables 300 people to work on site and earn a living.

Properties, flavour and taste of cubeb pepper

Piper cubeba contains a fresh-tasting natural alcohol, called cubebol (1). Peppercorns are known for their carminative and invigorating properties, which combat fatigue and improve blood circulation. Piper cubeba is also anti-inflammatory (2) and analgesic (3).

Our Piper cubeba has very tasty fresh mint, slightly bitter and lingering notes. This spice has a slightly stronger flavour than other peppers and is characterised by its subtle aromatic notes.

Volume and harvest periods

Production capacity for Indonesian cubeb pepper is ten tonnes a year. Natural Origins produces more than two tonnes per year. Harvesting takes place in July, September and November, for both export and domestic markets.

Would you like to know more about our cubeb pepper supply chain in Indonesia? A team of experts is at your disposal to answer your questions and to propose customised solutions.

Sources :

(1) BOS, Rein, WOERDENBAG, Herman J., KAYSER, Oliver, et al. Essential oil constituents of Piper cubeba L. fils. from Indonesia. Journal of essential oil research, 2007, vol. 19, no 1, p. 14-17.
(2) F.F. Perazzo, I.V. Rodrigues, E.L. Maistro, S.M. Souza, N.P.D. Nanaykkara, J.K. Bastos, J.C.T. Carvalho, G.H.B. de Souza, Anti-inflammatory and analgesic evaluation of hydroalcoholic extract and fractions from seeds of Piper cubeba L. (Piperaceae), Pharmacognosy Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1, 2013, Pages 13-16, ISSN 0975-3575,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phcgj.2012.12.001 
(3) Eun-Mi Choi, Jae-Kwan Hwang,
Investigations of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Piper cubeba, Physalis angulata and Rosa hybrida, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 89, Issue 1, 2003, Pages 171-175, ISSN 0378-8741

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874103002800?via%3Dihub