Перець кубеба (spiked pepper)

Spiked pepper (Piper aduncum), also known as matico or tailed pepper in some regions, is a tropical Piperaceae species native to Central and South America. Its essential oil has a markedly different profile from black pepper (Piper nigrum) — dominated by dillapiole (a phenylpropanoid) rather than piperine, giving it a more herbaceous, resinous, and slightly anise-like character.

The plant is an aggressive colonizer — one of the world's most invasive species in tropical regions. It grows rapidly in disturbed habitats and can form dense monocultures. The leaves and fruit spikes are both aromatic.

The dillapiole content (30-90% in some chemotypes) gives Piper aduncum a particular character — herbal, slightly sweet, resinous, with a warmth that is less biting than black pepper. Some chemotypes are dominated by piperitone or asaricin instead.

In perfumery, spiked pepper provides an alternative pepper note that is more aromatic and less culinary — useful in forest, tropical, and herbaceous compositions.

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Related: Bengal Pepper · Black Pepper Oil · Cubeb Or Tailed Pepper · Ghost Pepper · Guinea Pepper · Japanese Pepper · Pepper · Peppertree