This just in from Australia! A test batch of The Hippy Seed Company’s Naga soaked peppercorns. Neil actually sent me three batches (which I’ll comment on briefly). This was the kick in the rear that I needed to go out and get me a peppercorn crusher. Thanks, Neil!

The Hippy Seed Company’s Pepper Pepper Ingredient: Peppercorns, Nagas

Neil informs me that this uses a patented process from a scientist friend of his. He has gotten permission to use it and is now cranking out the seeds. As usual, it’s all natural. He also mentioned that this will be available in early 2010 when he as a lot of fresh Nagas ready for use.

Since these look exactly like normal peppercorns I’ve made the decision not to take a picture of them. Batch #1 was still sogging wet when I received it so I kind of took that as a failed batch. Batch #2 was at the appropriate dryness but lacked a lot of the spice. Batch #3 however…was juuuuussssttt right (Robert Southey eat your heart out).

Right out of the crusher it has an instant taste of peppercorns (what were you expecting, bananas?) then there is just a hint, ever so faint, of sweetness from the peppers. After that the heat comes in. It ramps right up to a medium and then just sits there. Eventually it dies down to a mild flame and gets put out.

Ever since my good friend Dave Reed turned me onto fresh crushed peppercorns, I’ve been a fanatic about it. So it should be no surprise that I flew through this product. I cracked some over scrambled eggs, cooked them on Famous Passow Pizza, mixed them in with hamburgers, and everything else I could think of. What I discovered is what when cooked, the Naga heat really dies down a lot. Fresh peppercorns are an amazing thing. To combine that with a pepper coating is absolutely brilliant!

Taste: 10, Heat: 5