Canelo <tc>pepper</tc>

This Chilean pepper named pepe canelo or simply canelo is closely related to the Tasmanian mountain pepper, and has similar culinary credentials.

The Tasmanian pepper was formerly considered to belong to the Drymis plant genus, just like the canelo, but is now considered to belong to the genus Tasmannia.

The canelo is an evergreen shrub or a conical tree, depending on conditions, and is found in Chile and Argentina. In drier areas it will be a shrub 3-5 metres tall, in the rainy, cold southern regions it grows as a tree and reaches 25-30 metres tall.

The leaves, like the bark, are aromatic. They have smooth edges and are often blue-green on the underside. The individual, stalked flowers grow in clusters along the stem. Each ivory-white flower can be up to four centimeters in diameter, with a variable number of petals (four to twenty). The numerous stamens surround four or more free carpels, which develop into blue, fleshy berries called pepe canelo. which are probably spread by birds.

The tree is usually planted at sacrificial sites called rehues. For the Mapuche, the canelo symbolizes the cosmic axis; its roots extend deep into the earth toward the underworld. Beneath these roots, all weapons and differences are removed, so that only truth can be spoken beneath the tree. The branches of the canelo are said to grow from the trunk in four cross-shaped units, thus symbolizing peace.

You think MapucheThat sounds familiar. Certainly, our brand also comes from the Mapuche; in fact, it's their trademark!

All parts of the plant are edible, including the bark and leaves. The fruit, known as pepe canelo or canelo pepper, is a delicacy. The fruit, a berry, initially tastes sweet and fruity, reminiscent of cinnamon, hence the name, but after a short time develops a sharpness that, like sanshol, has a mild numbing effect. The substance responsible for this is polygodial, a sesquiterpene dialdehyde also present in Tasmannia fruits, and drimenol.

Usage

Canelo is rarely used fresh; it is dried to best preserve its aroma. The dried berries are used in both sweet and savory recipes. They pair well with red meat, game, and stews, and combine beautifully with exotic fruits like pineapple, mango, or papaya, even with chocolate.

As with other peppers, it's not advisable to cook the canelo pepper for too long, as the aromas will dissipate. Add the pepper, crushed or finely chopped, no more than ten minutes before the end.

It is wise to be careful with the dosage, especially when the pepper is freshly ground and sprinkled over food.

Try adding a few grains to your gin or gin cocktail, preferably by soaking it in some gin first.

Smell and taste

Among the fragrant components, you'll find many that are also found in black pepper, except for safrole, which provides the unmistakable cinnamon note that gives the plant its popular name. In canelo, like in Tasmanian pepper, you'll taste myrtle and nutmeg, as well as juniper berry, with which it pairs well.

• alpha-pinene (11%)
• beta-pinene (17.4%)
• beta-caryophyllene, also found in oregano, cloves, lavender, and hemp, and
• bicyclogermacene-D (4.4%), responsible for the wood odor,
• limonene (5%), with the characteristic citrus odor, and
• alpha-phellandrene (approximately 2%), also called eucalyptus

Features:

• 100% fruits of the Drymis winteri
• origin: Patagonia, Chile

Assortment

• available in glass (30 grams), stand-up pouch and test tube (10 ml)
• larger quantities on request

Gift wrapping

• The jar is available in a tasteful gift packaging, consisting of a cube box filled with black tissue paper.
• For an overview of our gift packaging, please refer to the section gift wrapping

Save:

• store your canelo pepper in a closed container
• preferably store in a dark, dry and cool place
• best before September 2027 (09-2027)
• This expiration date is an indication

Would you like to know what this canelo pepper tastes like?

You can also try a test tube. The tube contains enough pepper to determine the flavor essence.

Batch number

The batch number helps us track which batch an item originates from. It's listed on the packing slip and invoice.