Green Peppercorns

[tim]

Silly me!! Fresh out, so found a local supplier with fair prices - arrived today - I clicked on the wrong thing - Peppercorns IN BRINE!!

So another long search this pm to find another supplier of freeze dried - got it as low as 6.7p/gm for several pots (inc p&p). In the US they are 2.5p/gm!

[tim]

[lolabelle]

I always use the ones in brine just give them a wash under running water , no complaints here :)

[Hyacinth]

Green p/corns are a kitchen essential for me 8) (pink ones? too scented, can't do with them atorl :-[)

Back to the green, tho...long time ago I could buy jars of Barts dried g/p in Sainsburys....and then! shock horror, they were replaced by those HORRIBLE things in brine, same producer :o This prompted a Letter of Complaint from me ;) in which I pointed out that,  while I didn't have truck with the impatience of modern youth and subscribe to the feeling that life was too short to stuff a mushroom, it certainly was too short to rinse and pat-dry a bloody peppercorn ;D.....in time, dried green ones reappeared and I like to think my protest counted towards their reintroduction..

Then, a few years ago, cos this is a long, long saga - I'm nothing if not faithful to my loves - I was living in London for a while and....YESSSS! Harvey Nicks had their own dried g/ps in their own lovely silver-grey pots. And so I bought them. Coming back to B'ham & our own H.Nicks in The Mailbox...lovely foodhall, but NO g/ps?  And so I had them sent from London to Birmingham specially for me 8)

3 years ago I started having walking hols in Snowdonia & there, in a foodshop in Betwy-y-Coed, I found....YEP you've guessed it! And I bought 6 boxes and have continued to keep them in trade (and my cupboards stocked) since then.

Up to date now....where I visit in N.C. there's my favourite shop 'A Southern Season'.....filled with spices and herbs and All Things Wondrous - except for g/ps!! So, when I go over, I take a box with me...I've just checked my spice cupboards & I have none still boxed, tho my spice jars are full....

hmmm...might be a time to visit Snowdonia, or London,  or....what's the name of your supplier, please, Tim,  in case I have to buy on-line?

[Hyacinth]

We must have posted almost simultaneously Lola - two peeps, diff takes on life ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

an praps you have youth and time in your favour? ;) :D

[lolabelle]

I only use them in Peppercorn sauce or to stir through Chicken liver pate, ora Thai pork and peppercorn curry , obviously from yourself and Tims posts I'm missing out on using them in otherways , how else can you use the dried  ones other than in  a peppermil

[Hyacinth]

I use them whole in sauces, etc., Lola. I've never put them in a peppermill.

Just found my last box....packed by Green Cuisine Fine Quality Herbs & Spices, and the twee little N.Wales shop was selling them for £0.85p for 25g. What are the sums on that, Tim - is your supplier cheaper (I'd think they would be, with the Twee Shop's mark-up) tho I have the addy of G.C's place so it'd be worth a phone call to them when I eventually run out..

[tim]

BUY me some, Lishka - that's HALF the Steenberg price!! Which was the best I could find. And ordered.

Usage? If whole, then I agree, no problem with brined ones. But most of my use is ground. I do a batch in a coffee mill & use it in anything delicate that needs real fragrance, or no black bits in it. Just SMELL it. So different to the macho style of black.

For instance, for Shellfish, Eggs, Potato Salad etc I do 2/3 Greek Yoghurt, 1/3 Mayo, Tabasco or Cayenne + lots of Green Pepper. Ground G/P releases much more fragrance than whole - I reckon. Whole ones act more like Capers. I also use it with many bland Veg.

Cancel, Lishka!! While writing that I found Green Cuisine (got the wrong one in Cardiff first) & they put me on to www.thebestpossibletaste.co.uk who deal with the public.

So I've cancelled my last night's order & saved myself a bundle.  THANK YOU!!

[Hyacinth]

DELIGHTED!! And you did the groundwork for me as well with a link!..I'm an all-time winner here 8)

[tim]

PS - yes Barts is where I got the brined ones. Can't afford their dried ones.

[Baccy Man]

Perhaps a bad time to mention this in light of Tims other thread but spiceworld currently have green peppercorns on offer @ £4.81 for 250g.
http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/product_info.php?cPath=61_59&products_id=1303

Hyacinth you can grow your own pink peppercorns if you've got room, they are the dried berries from from a tree called Schinus Terebinthifolius.
Seeds are available from:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BRAZILIAN-PEPPER-TREE-Seeds-SCHINUS-terebinthifolius/dp/B000NB26EY/ref=sr_1_1/275-6740348-5115835?ie=UTF8&s=outdoors&qid=1237113371&sr=1-1

[Hyacinth]

Thanks B/Man, but pink are the ones I really don't like...too...oh I don't know..perfumed?..scented?

Thank you for the Spiceworld link tho 8)

Back to peppercorns, tho. Whole white ones are under-rated I find...such a different taste from the salt&pepper white pepper that was always on the table when I was little.

[tim]

Yes, Baccyman, you'll see elsewhere that I just twigged that!!

[Barnowl]

I've used Fox's Spices for peppercorns and other spices and herbs for some years now, but they don't do internet. Prices are always good and they have a very wide range including a chef's range if you want large quantities.

Phone for a catalogue on 01789 266420.

I'm a fan of their Nasi Goreng (great if you've leftover rice and are feeling lazy) and Krupuks for cooking yourself.

[tim]

Thanks for that - I've seen their products around. Will phone - but unlikely to need Green peppercorns for a while!!

[Hyacinth]

Thank you Baccyman for the Spiceworld notification :-*

The link you provided didn't work for me, but I've just accessed their site and my 250g packet of whole green peppercorns is now on its way 8)....£6.49p which included p&p. Well-pleased!

I notice that they say g/ps can be used whole, wrapped in muslin, then removed to flavour dishes.

Wimps! ;D

[tim]

And speaking of Barts - we got their Lime Chilli Chutney as make-weight.

Very glad!!

[Hyacinth]

I forgot to write....also phoned for the catalogue, thanks Barnowl 8)

[Hyacinth]

BLISS! I'm now the proud owner of a 250g of green peppercorns, with a b.before date of end-August 2010.....easy-peasy 8)

;D

[asbean]

Tried these, Tim:

http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/680

??? ???

[tim]

Something new every day?