A pink peppercorn ( French: ''baie rose'', "pink berry") is a dried berry referring to three different species; the traditional Baies rose plant ''

Euonymus phellomanus ''Euonymus phellomanus'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to China. It is one of several species within ''Euonymus'' called spindle or spindle tree. A substantial deciduous shrub growing to tall by broad, it pr ...

'', the shrub ''

Schinus molle ''Schinus molle'' (Peruvian pepper, also known as American pepper, Peruvian peppertree, escobilla, false pepper, rosé pepper, molle del Peru, pepper tree, (Archived bWebCite peppercorn tree, California pepper tree, pirul (in Mexican Spanish si ...

'', commonly known as the Peruvian peppertree, and the ''

Schinus terebinthifolia ''Schinus terebinthifolia'' is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, that is native to subtropical and tropical South America. Common names include Brazilian peppertree, aroeira, rose pepper, broadleaved pepper tree, ...

'' (the Brazilian pepper). The pink peppercorn from the Baies rose plant (''

''), is usually imported from Madagascar. As a result, they are expensive. Pink peppercorns are pungent and slightly sweet, but not nearly as flavorful as the true pepper. These berries were once banned by the Food and Drug Administration as a foodstuff, but are now considered safe for consumption. This seed is not to be confused with the Brazilian pepper berry (pink berry). Although not related to commercial pepper (''

Piper nigrum Black pepper (''Piper nigrum'') is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, known as a peppercorn, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. The fruit is a drupe (stonefruit) which is about in diame ...

'') the pink/red berries of the Peruvian peppertree are sold as pink peppercorns and often blended with commercial pepper. Pink peppercorns came to be called such because they resemble peppercorns, and because they, too, have a peppery flavor. As they are members of the cashew family, they may cause allergic reactions including

anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially fatal allergic reaction and medical emergency that is rapid in onset and requires immediate medical attention regardless of use of emergency medication on site. It typically causes more than one of the foll ...

for people with a tree nut allergy. Dried berries from the related species ''

'' (the Brazilian pepper), are sometimes also called pink peppercorns (''baies roses de Bourbon'') and are used as a culinary

spice A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Spice ...

. The Brazilian pepper was introduced as an ornamental plant to Florida by at latest 1891, probably earlier, where it has spread rapidly since about 1940,Ewel, J. J. 1986. Invasibility: Lessons from south Florida. in H. A. Mooney and J. A. Drake, eds. ''Ecology of biological invasions of North America and Hawaii'', pp. 214–230. Springer-Verlag, New York. and eventually became invasive in the area where it is often referred to as " Florida Holly". In 1982, the

Food and Drug Administration The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a List of United States federal agencies, federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is respon ...

(FDA) banned the import of Brazilian peppercorns from France into the United States, asserting that people who eat the berries risk an array of acute symptoms, such as swollen eyelids and indigestion, similar to poison ivy. In response, the Government of France maintained that the berries are safe to eat if grown in prescribed conditions. The United States later lifted the ban. The fruit and leaves of Peruvian pepper are potentially poisonous to poultry, pigs and possibly calves. Records also exist of young children who have experienced vomiting and diarrhea after eating the fruit. Presently both species of the Schinus pink peppercorn lack " generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) status with the FDA.

References

{{Herbs & spices Dried fruit Peppers Spices

See also

References