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The moment you buy any food, you are not just buying the product itself, but also the values of those who produced and transported it all the way to your table. Various store certificates can tell you more about these values, revealing under what conditions the given food was produced and how it got to you, but also the transparent communication of the seller, which is often even more important. In this regard, we can talk about so-called direct and fair trade. But what is the difference between them? Translated from English: direct and fair trade  Before a product gets directly into your hands, it usually has to go through a long journey through several traders, which increases its price and lowers its quality. At the same time, the consumer has not the slightest chance to find out where the product comes from, whether human rights were violated during its production, or if environmental devastation occurred. That chain between the farmer and the consumer minimizes direct trade.  It is the path we also take at .pepper..field. Thanks to this, we are able to have a perfect overview of the distribution of our pepper; we know exactly from whom each batch comes, and because of that, you know it too. :-) However, building a direct trade business is not easy because few get direct access to primary world commodities as we did after a long journey through Cambodia. Our direct trade is very transparent, which is proven by the fact that through photos and current videos, we involve you in every pepper purchase, which you can participate in remotely with us! You don’t need a certificate for fair trade  Fair trade is above all a certainty. The certainty that the farmers from whom we buy Kampot pepper receive proper compensation for their work, we know the conditions under which the unique Kampot pepper is grown, and we are able to help them continuously improve these conditions. This is called fair trade. Fair trade can be done even without certificates, precisely thanks to direct trade, because you are a direct seller and thus have direct influence on all processes, including whether farmers are paid 100% fair amounts. It is the most wonderful combination because no unnecessary money gets lost anywhere in the chains. And how do we stand with certifications? All the necessary certifications related to Kampot pepper have, of course, been secured from the beginning and we transparently know from Cambodia that they are in order. Other certifications such as fair trade/bio/organic we now secure for all our farmer families thanks to expansion into foreign markets where they are required. These certifications are understandably extremely expensive, so our farmers could not afford them before, but we try to help them with this and take the financial burden on our shoulders. And that is the beauty of .pepper..field’s help! :-)

Perhaps you have also sometimes held a grain of Kampot pepper between your thumb and forefinger and wondered how it is possible that it contains such a huge amount of flavors compared to the regular pepper purchased in a store. The answer to this question lies in the content of piperine and other substances contained in the peppercorn. Not only piperine affects the taste of pepper The method of cultivating pepper in Kampot, the geographical conditions, and the processing method all influence the concentration of individual substances in the peppercorn, which give it its true flavor. The empty spiciness of store-bought pepper is replaced here by a warm and full taste accompanied by a whole range of other tones of citrus, conifers, exotic fruit, and more. Behind these nuances of aroma and taste stands not only piperine itself, which is even spicier than the well-known capsaicin found in chili peppers, but also other substances. Among them are germacene, limonene, pinene, and alpha-phellandrene. For example, germacene brings a strong spicy, warm, and sweet scent to the pepper. On the other hand, limonene brings freshness and those citrus tones. After this chemical analysis, it’s probably not hard to guess what pinene, which is also found in conifers, lends to the pepper. A dance of aromas and flavors The taste of pepper is simply a wild dance of various flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes that turn a small peppercorn into a ticking bomb packed with aromas and flavors just waiting to explode in your mouth and unfold in your nose.  Moreover, you can cleverly play with individual flavor tones by combining pepper with different kinds of herbs. For example, rosemary can highlight the pine tones in pepper. Conversely, coriander multiplies the citrus essence of pepper, and some berries can enhance the woody tones. In short, try experimenting a bit with Kampot Kampot pepper, and you will see that it will reward you with a whole range of unique flavor surprises. :-)

Spices are an indispensable part of every kitchen. However, while with yogurts, lemons, or chocolate we consider where they actually come from, with spices most chefs don’t really care that much. Unfortunately, it is precisely in the case of spice growers that frequent exploitation and also destruction of nature occur. By the way, the entire idea of .pepper..field is based on changing this issue in the case of Kampot farmers. Why do the smallest and at the same time the best farms have such bad luck? Fortunately, there are many organizations and smaller companies worldwide that build on similar values as we do at .pepper..field and try to help producers from all over the world. This help consists of overseeing better working conditions, fair wages, and also environmentally friendly approaches during production. While there are many growers, the companies that buy their products are significantly fewer. Because of this, these companies can dictate the conditions under which they buy the cultivated product. These conditions are often unfavorable for farmers, exploit them, and they are forced to use pesticides and other chemical preparations to maximize yield. Moreover, many of these farmers are from remote areas, which makes it impossible for them to enter the market without traders, who do not come to these areas very often. Simply put, they have the hardest possible position in trading. These prices constantly fluctuate due to unstable weather and also the political situation in the countries where the farmers live. Additionally, these farmers live in poor conditions their entire lives and therefore do not have the strong will to escape them. Are fair prices per kilo paid in Kampot? That is why various organizations often set minimum purchase prices necessary to cover production costs and also ensure a decent life for farmers. Such an association in the case of Kampot pepper is KPPA – Kampot Pepper Promotion Association – which annually sets the official fair price per kilo of individual peppers, which it recommends to follow. Unfortunately, this is still only a recommendation that companies may or may not follow. Guess what – in the Kampot area, none of the local producers – neither small nor large farms like La Plantation – adhered to this official price per kilo and did not pay farmers that price. Why? And why yes, when their motivation was only commerce? Of course, it is extremely financially demanding to pay farmers up to ten times more than others. But if you have the right motivation like we do at  .pepper..field, not only can you manage it, but maybe in time you will also force large farms to reconsider why until now they have not paid a fair price per kilo? If a smaller company like ours can manage these finances, what excuse would large farms and producers have to find? These are simply things we still shake our heads about. At the same time, it is a completely healthy, fair, and responsible foundation that we have committed to always uphold!

January to May means the most demanding part of the year for farmers. This is the time of harvest and careful observation of the stalks on which clusters of pepper berries sway. The moment these stalks begin to yellow, the pepper vine clearly signals that the right time for picking has come. Harvesting during this period takes place continuously And it is up to the farmers whether they harvest whole clusters of still green unripe pepper, or select individual already ripe berries. At the same time, they can also wait for the berries to fully ripen and pick them at the moment they are fully red, or harvest all the pepper from the vine and then subsequently select the red berries from the green ones. This decision influences the flavor profile of the berries and the resulting color, thanks to which the offer includes  black, red, and white pepper. However, you will not see white berries on the vines. These are obtained by soaking red pepper in boiling water (approximately 5 minutes) and then in cold water (maximum 48 hours). Subsequently, the skin is removed revealing the creamy white core. The processing of red and white pepper is thus the most demanding, the longest, and therefore these two colors are the absolute pride of Cambodia – few countries in the world can patiently pick berry by berry and further process them like this! Cleanliness is also important The subsequent work with the obtained grains follows a whole range of principles that primarily comply with hygienic rules. Both the containers used for storing pepper and the farmers' hands must be clean. The grains themselves can only be dried on three types of materials: nylon, classic natural mats, and canvas. During drying, no domestic animals have access to the grains. At the moment when the grains are sufficiently dried in the sun, manual sorting takes place. This serves to remove all impurities that were collected from the vine along with the pepper grains as well as to select the grains themselves. After sorting, the grains are stored in a well-ventilated place, without exposure to sunlight, and so that no pests can reach them.  Subsequently, the pepper grains can look forward to their packaging, but more about that next time. 

To what kind of tomato can you develop a greater relationship: the one you find on the department store shelf, or the one you grow yourself in your garden and know everything about from start to finish? I think we all can guess the answer.  Although you cannot grow our pepper at home in your garden bed due to unfavorable geological conditions, you can learn the beginning and end of the tradition of cultivating Kampot pepper in distant Cambodia. Thanks to this, you will love the wrinkled berries we bring to your table just as much as that red tomato.   Every pepper plant receives proper care The story of the grain begins on a hill or at the foot of mountain ranges, which offer the pepper vines the right sandy or rocky soil. Farmers must properly drain this soil or plant the vines on a slope so that water does not accumulate at the roots. Drainage systems also serve this purpose; they surround the plantations and reach a depth of at least 80 centimeters. Two types of pepper are grown in Kampot, called Kamchay and Lampong. However, locals simply refer to them as plants with small leaves and plants with large leaves. Why use complicated names when it can be simple? Newly planted plants must come from the area designated as Kampot geographically. Pure, chemical-free, in harmony with nature Planting of pepper vines takes place in carefully selected local spots, and each plant must be spaced at least 1.8 meters apart. Plants must be sheltered for at least three years to protect them from sharp Kampot sun. Wooden poles serve to support the vines as they climb, as well as fertilizers. However, forget about any chemicals. All fertilizers come from natural sources. These are primarily manure from domestic animals and also bat guano. Fertilizing takes place at least once a year, and at most four times a year, from May to July. During dry periods, it is necessary to provide water to the plants. That is why the vines must be near a water source suitable for irrigation. At the same time, from June to December, the soil must be regularly loosened to prevent water from running off the surface and to allow it to penetrate the roots as best as possible. Farmers must also constantly monitor the presence of pests.   Forget about the Colorado potato beetle; here the biggest enemy is termites. Their elimination, of course, is done naturally. Chemical substances are allowed only when nature does not help. In such cases, farmers may use only products approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Sometimes it seems to us that we already know everything about pepper, but then we discover another novelty that will knock us off our chairs. Recently, black pepper oil enchanted us in this way. It might seem that it is just another cooking oil. However, do not be mistaken, black pepper oil is a rare and powerful medicine that delivers the best of the potent black pepper into your body. And the better the quality of the pepper, the stronger its power, of course. All the benefits of quality pepper concentrated in a single drop Although black pepper is one of the most well-known spices, the oil that can be extracted from it is not so widespread. As expected, its aroma is sharp like pepper and also warming. By consuming it, you support the nervous system as well as the digestive system. It can be used both internally and externally, helping the body to get rid of a whole range of ailments. Black pepper oil can provide relief from cramps and muscle fatigue. The substances it contains improve blood circulation and warm the muscles, thus better alleviating painful conditions. In this case, it is obviously ideal to regularly apply the oil to the affected area and, if the pain allows, ideally to massage it in. For the body and the stomach By using pepper oil externally, you can also more quickly get rid of arthritis and rheumatism. This is again aided by increased blood flow to the affected areas where the oil is applied. The oil is also capable of expelling toxins from the body, such as uric acid, which is one of the triggers of joint pain. For this reason, pepper oil can also be tried by patients suffering from gout. If you consume black pepper oil, you primarily benefit your digestive system. Pepper oil helps stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Your food will digest better, and you will avoid digestive difficulties. It is also a much gentler alternative to spices like chili. You can also use the oil when suffering from sinus inflammation or a stuffy nose. It can dissolve mucus and thus provide much-needed immediate relief. An alternative for smokers Need to quit smoking? Black pepper oil can remove the craving for cigarettes. It also reduces tension and anxiety, so it can help during the first nervous days of quitting this bad habit. Can you make it at home? Unfortunately, true essential black pepper oil can only be obtained by steam distillation. So unless you have a small chemical laboratory, you probably won’t succeed – but it is definitely not impossible. The process involves filtering peppercorns under high steam pressure until the essential oils separate from the floral water. For home preparation, it is suitable to crush or add a few peppercorns of black Kampot pepper into another quality vegetable oil. You will see what a gourmet delight such flavored oil can create, for example, in a salad!

As consumers, we stand at the very end of a long supply chain. We often do not have much chance to find out whether we are buying genuine quality, whether the people involved in the chain receive adequate compensation for their work, or whether the given product does not represent too great a burden on our planet. Direct trade also guarantees a direct path of the raw material to you In the case of Kampot pepper, at the other end of this chain, the leaves of the pepper vines gently rustle, cared for by the hands of local farmers. From them, the peppercorns have quite a journey to your table, but unlike peppers of other brands, we strive to have only one link in that chain, and that is us. Thanks to this, we are able to control the quality, give farmers adequate compensation, and at the same time bring fresh pepper of perfect taste to your table. At least with Kampot pepper, thanks to all the mandatory certifications, there is one certainty – that this pepper is always hand-picked and inspected, sun-dried, and meets all organic standards, which are also checked by the EU. However, whether the reseller truly adheres to fair trade or direct trade policies is often a question that is unfortunately answered negatively, even through "certificates" that in countries with huge corruption often mean nothing without oversight from a higher authority. Fortunately for us, there is the KPPA (Kampot Pepper Promotion Association), which monitors the production of Kampot pepper worldwide, and if you are serious and trade in genuine Kampot pepper, you belong under it. What the association unfortunately cannot arrange is the enforcement of fair prices for Kampot pepper by all its members – it can only recommend it. Therefore, it was a surprise for us that we were the first to voluntarily commit to adhering to this officially set fair price. Other pepper than Kampot in the country has no organization that supervises its production, so it is quite clear that its trade is conducted in a "whatever anyone feels like" style. Speed unfortunately often takes precedence over quality Another problem arises during processing, which often takes place mechanically, and again the most important factors are time and money. The grains are not soaked or dried long enough, and the main goal of farm workers, who often belong to foreign traders, is to get the grains into bags as quickly as possible and earn their reward. As a result, the grains are again exposed to unfavorable conditions, become musty, and develop pathogenic germs. Quality thus degrades again, and from that pleasant and characteristic pepper flavor, little remains. The pepper then passes from hand to hand, from trader to trader, with each adding the price of their work. The grains can languish on ships for a whole year and no longer remember what it is like to bathe in the sun's rays. What reaches the consumer's table is stale, tasteless, and odorless. Hoping for a better taste experience, the consumer then adds it to food, only to experience pure disappointment.  So buy pepper that you really like, that is socially responsible, and where you can see the specific people, families, and team who take care of its sale not only in Cambodia but also here – in the Czech Republic.

Basically, from the moment the pepper seedling is planted, there is a series of rules regarding the cultivation of pepper vines that farmers growing pepper in the Kampot province are required to follow. As we already know from previous posts on our blog, strict rules must be observed during harvesting, subsequent sorting, and also storage of peppercorns. And their Package is no exception in this regard. All of this is summarized in the Book Of Specifications – an official document that defines all the parameters this black treasure must meet before export from Cambodia. The right Package ensures the preservation of all the properties of pepper Therefore, the grains are packed into food-approved packaging that does not react with the peppercorns, preserves their taste and aroma, and protects them from moisture, pests, and other external influences that could reduce the quality of the pepper. For this reason, we were the very first to provide small farming families in the Kampot area with 10 vacuum machines, with the support of the Czech Development Agency, which can process all the pepper from farmers immediately after harvest. On our machines, we vacuum pack all the pepper in 1kg Package portions that we purchase from micro-farming families. This immediately guarantees freshness and quality, which is delivered in the same form to us in the Czech Republic. Here, this vacuum-packed Package undergoes a secondary inspection on a machine with optical mechanics – "just in case the farmer’s hands forgot, for example, an ant in the package." :-) For further Package sent to your home, we use local sources and packaging from Czech printing houses or glassworks. To make it absolutely clear what is inside the packaging and who is the producer of the content, each Package is equipped with a batch number (lot number) and expiration date.  However, whether the Kampot pepper retains all its properties also depends on you, the consumer yourself. Black, white, and red pepper are suitable for consumption up to three years from the date of harvest. In the case of ground black pepper, it can be used throughout the following year. We recommend consuming it as soon as possible. For our freeze-dried pepper, it is best consumed within a few months, as it partially retains the properties of fresh pepper and is therefore more sensitive. Enjoy your meal and store your pepper with love!

Beautiful packaging, but what to do with it? There are three options right here. The first one, which we are not too enthusiastic about, is throwing the packaging into the regular trash bin. We are much happier when you sort the packaging and give it a chance for recycling. And then there is the third option, which is the best for us and the planet, and that is reusing the packaging. Bags Our doypack bags, in which we pack pepper, are a great example of the possibility of upcycling our packaging. They are resealable with a quality zipper, which means you can fill them with all sorts of things to maintain freshness. This applies, for example, to various types of dried herbs that you have grown in your own garden or anything you would like to keep fresh in the kitchen for a long time. Besides the zipper, our bags have a triple-layer barrier that protects any treasure from the kitchen, A resealable bag is also useful for travel. You can prepare a spice mix with Kampot pepper in it and then use it during picnics, camping, or outdoor grilling without having to carry our grinders with you. Similarly, you can fill it with freshly ground coffee for trips or prepare a small snack for children. The packaging can also be used for freezing a wide range of different ingredients. Glass Test Tubes Besides bags, we pack pepper into our iconic glass test tubes made from high-quality Czech glass, which are not only custom-made but also handmade. Thanks to the combination with a precise cork screw cap made to measure, the peppercorns can be kept in perfect condition, showcasing their uniqueness without oxidizing over months or even years.  Ideally, these test tubes are intended for continuous refilling with pepper from the bags, but they can also be used for a variety of other purposes. Due to their transparency, they can be filled with anything that pleases your eye in the kitchen. How about using the test tubes for confectionery decorations? Vanilla pods look great in them, for example. It is an unusual way to serve someone a drink or a summer cocktail, or you can give the test tubes to your children so they can use them for their various experiments. However, remember that these are made of glass, so children should only play with this packaging under parental supervision. And how do you upcycle our packaging? Send us a photo or inspiration, and after verification, we will reward you for the fight for a better planet! 

Kampot pepper and our other delicacies are so great that you consume them faster than you expect. The only thing left after them is their packaging. At .pepper..field, we try to pack all products into such packaging that is practical and highlights the uniqueness of its content, but it does not necessarily have to be just Kampot pepper or delicacies to which we add it. Our packaging has a whole range of uses even after being emptied. Jars Our delicate butters are also filled into glass containers. The jar that remains after them is perfect for pickling or canning, for example, marmalade. At the same time, you can store seeds, smaller nuts, and of course various kinds of herbs in it.  DIY enthusiasts can use the jar in their workshop, for example, for storing smaller fastening materials. You can also use it as a flowerpot for seedlings or as a container for homemade creams or candles. There are no limits to imagination. For example, we put coffee to go in our jars! Wooden boxes Wooden gift boxes primarily serve for storing test tubes, but they can be used for a whole range of other purposes. It is a highly decorative packaging that can be used for storing a variety of smaller items. It finds its use as an organizer for your teas or other kitchen delights. You can store some small items in the bathroom in the wooden box, and again it will find its use in the workshop. You will also make your children very happy with such a box, which they can use to hide their greatest treasures, use as a bed for their plush friends and dolls, or as a garage for toy cars. Imagination has no limits in this case, and children will definitely know what to do with such a box. In our team, colleagues keep boxes for jewelry and valuables because they have the box engraved with their own name, and such packaging deserves appropriate content. Tip for conclusion: the inner divider parts of the box are glued so that they can be easily removed from the box with a little effort.

If you taste black pepper purchased in a regular store, it will most likely not surprise you much with its flavor. It will taste ordinary, slightly spicy, but often bland and completely uninspired. However, if you indulge in the taste of pepper from Kampot, you will find that pepper does not have to be just sharp and hot, but can hide an unexpected flavor surprise, in which you can recognize tones you definitely would not expect in pepper! Test your taste buds with genuine Kampot pepper Pepper in this regard is somewhat like rum. While searching for something exceptional in classic domestic spirits is a somewhat naive effort, expensive Cuban rums are much more interesting and, above all, a more pleasant experience in terms of taste. Similarly, Kampot pepper brings a whole range of flavor tones and incredible aroma. The whole experience begins after grinding, when essential oils with notes of eucalyptus, mint, camphor, thyme are released, accompanied by the scent of lime peel, and the attentive can even catch a bit of the maritime aroma of the Cambodian coast. After two to three minutes, fruitier and less harsh tones unfold. Dominant is the scent of peach and nectarine, highlighted by the earthy tone of Cambodian soil, cut pine, and freshly mown grass. Perfect taste and versatile use All this awaits you when you inhale the scent of the black gold from Kampot. Upon placing it in your mouth, the aroma alternates with a unique flavor experience dominated by a nutty gentle spiciness, without the characteristic harsh tones known from cheap pepper. The spiciness evokes a feeling of warmth in the mouth, but not the classic sharp burning — leave that to chili, which contains capsaicin.– Black pepper can be described as the diplomat from Kampot, introducing its consumers to the world of pepper through a very pleasant and just right intense experience, after which you will never look at this spice the same way again.

Fully loaded cargo ships sailing for months across the sea transport sisal bags, which are often stored in damp and not very clean environments. The contents of these bags are often pepper, which is one of the most traded spices in the world. Pepper on ships gradually becomes musty, moldy, and reaches customers in a state that definitely does not make it a completely delicate spice. And that’s not to mention the long chain of companies and resellers who further pass on and store the pepper under unsuitable conditions. How to get tasty Kampot pepper and avoid this cycle?  In the name of preserving quality The taste of Kampot pepper is determined not only by the location it comes from but also by the way it is further processed. Each Kampot pepper is not of the same quality, which to some extent is also influenced by how it is handled after harvest. We at .pepper..field try to get the pepper to your table as quickly as possible and in absolutely top quality. This is where we fundamentally differ from large pepper farms and other distributors. 1. We immediately vacuum-pack the pepper in Cambodia on our Czech machines, which we provided to small family farmers thanks to the Czech Development Agency. Often, even the president of KPPA himself helps with the vacuum packing. 2. Carefully vacuum-packed 1kg bags of pepper are arranged in cardboard boxes, max 10 pieces per box, so they are not damaged by pressure. 3. We fly it by plane. It is extremely expensive, but unlike the competition, we have the pepper just a few days after harvest, quickly, safely, and most importantly without the risk of contamination by water. 4. Immediately after arrival in the Czech Republic, we put the pepper through a Czech sortex – this is a precise machine with laser optical mechanics that ensures we achieve perfect purity of 100% instead of 98%. We don’t know anyone in the world who is so precise and uses similar machines. 5. Then we immediately pack the pepper into our Czech packaging – honestly, by hand! And then it’s up to you – on each package we educate you to store Kampot pepper in dryness, coolness, darkness, and to close the tube and bag. That way, it will stay wonderfully fresh and delicious for up to 3 years and will taste just as if you had just bought it from one of our families in Cambodia!

If you go to some of the retail chains and look for the highest quality pepper there, we advise you to turn around and leave immediately. Standard spice sellers, who have at least 10 other types of spices on the shelf besides pepper, pack pepper into colorful packages, but you won't learn much about the quality of the pepper inside. So how to recognize truly quality peppercorns? Several important indicators For pepper from the Kampot region to earn the honor of reaching your table, it must meet several criteria that are monitored during harvest, selection directly at the farmers, and subsequently also during selection here with us. Moreover, there is a so-called Book of Specifications – a book that precisely defines the parameters that Kampot pepper must boast to ensure each grain achieves the highest quality and thus taste. The first important quality indicator is grain size. Small peppercorns reveal that growth did not occur under ideal conditions, which also reflects in the flavor quality. Grain size is not a standard for every type of pepper in the world, but for Kampot pepper, it tells you a lot about quality. The second important criterion is the weight and hardness of the fruit. It may be beautifully large, but when it weighs half as much as the other grains, it is clear that its core did not develop properly. Such a core can best be detected by immersion in water; in such a case, problematic (light, hollow) grains float to the surface and reveal their "color". :-) Organic or not? Last but not least, the quality of pepper also depends on chemical purity. We can proudly say that chemistry and our farmers are not friends and they prefer traditional and even more sustainable methods that leave no room for chemical fertilizers or insecticides. They fertilize primarily with cow manure, and everything undergoes regular inspections by certified agricultural organizations. Our pepper is therefore not only 100% organic but also gluten-free and pure – it contains no additives, pesticides, or grain residues, which is common practice for "cheap peppers". 100% selection – a word behind which anything can hide For us, it means that when you open a bag or a test tube, inside you will find 100% pepper only and no surprises like small stones, twigs, dust, or other impurities commonly found in chain store peppers. Achieving 100% quality is not easy – Kampot pepper must be hand-picked with tweezers by farmers in Cambodia and sent to us in the Czech Republic at about 98% purity. We then send it through a sortex machine, which detects even the last blade of grass and cleans the pepper to 100%. ☺

It is no secret that .pepper..field cooperates with renowned Czech restaurants, enabling them to cook with the best pepper in the world. We supply Kampot pepper to professionals who have Michelin stars to their name and who build unique menus on this pepper, mix infused drinks, and prepare unexpectedly refined desserts. In short, they constantly surprise their guests with flavors that their visitors have never had on their tongues before.  Partnerships with the very best There is already a whole range of restaurants with which we have shaken hands and established partnerships. Among them is, for example, Casa De Carli, led by Michelin chef Matteo De Carli, who is our ambassador and whose panna cotta with red Kampot pepper was praised by Czech Forbes as something absolutely exceptional. We also fondly remember MIURA restaurant in the Beskydy Mountains, where the renowned chef Michal Goth knows as much about pepper as few others. You can also find us in SOHO Restaurant, where we initially cooked together long-term, but now you can also buy our Kampot pepper there. You can also join these names with your own restaurant. You just need to become a member of our  pepper club and enjoy the benefits that this membership brings you. These include, for example, organizing special events that you can attend to learn more about how to create a unique menu and mix unexpectedly delicious drinks using Kampot pepper. You will have the opportunity for exclusive cooperation with us, which we prepare with restaurants, such as our very successful event with real Cambodians at the SIA restaurant, where each meal contributed to the community in the Cardamom Mountains. Want to pepper on a large scale? Especially for the needs of all chefs, we have also prepared  Package Kampot pepper at a good price for restaurants. In our offer, you will find kilogram packages of red, black, white Package pepper, as well as selected varieties such as lyophilized green and dark red Kampot pepper.

Spring is slowly but surely knocking on the door, and along with it begins the period of general cleaning, which sweeps through all rooms from the basement to the chimney. However, spring is also a great opportunity to tidy up the purely personal temple that is our body. And why not use the power of pepper for that? Piperine arranges many things Pepper is one of the most widespread spices, but who would have thought that it can work magic in the intestines of our body in a far more interesting way than on our tongue. Peppercorns owe this mainly to their wrinkled skin, which contains a significant amount of a substance called piperine. It is this substance that is responsible for the sharp pungent taste of pepper and its characteristic aroma. After consuming pepper, piperine is released into the body, where it stimulates the mucous membranes but primarily functions as a strong antioxidant. It alleviates the effects of free radicals and prevents the negative impacts of oxidative stress. This stress affects cells in the human body and accelerates their aging, causing an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, which in the worst-case scenario can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, or stroke. How to supplement necessary vitamins and trace elements with pepper? By consuming piperine contained in pepper, you can cleanse your body and rid it of harmful substances. At the same time, you can also increase the amount of effective substances that your body will better absorb. Piperine significantly enhances our body's ability to absorb substances such as selenium, vitamins B and C, coenzyme Q10, beta-carotene, and others. Interestingly, pepper has been used for centuries by healers together with turmeric. It strengthens the effects of curcumin contained in turmeric — by up to a thousand percent. Curcumin boasts many beneficial effects on human health, but it is primarily a very strong antioxidant that can also drive pain out of your body. So if you decide to use pepper during your body's cleansing, don't forget to add a bit of turmeric as well. Keep in mind that these are beneficial health benefits of pepper, not medical effects. In case of real health problems, please consult your doctor.

How exciting the combination of pepper and sweet desserts can be can be read not only in one of our articles, but you can also easily convince your own taste buds. But how about trying an unconventional combination of Kampot pepper with a traditional product in the form of homemade honey? Pepper and honey have beneficial effects on human health A precious treasure from the hive, just like pepper, helps with digestive disorders, heals mucous membranes, stimulates intestinal activity, and helps to calm down. It has beneficial effects on calming the mind and also acts antibacterial and as a quick disinfectant. In short, it has many similar effects as pepper. However, it is good to use both when you feel, as the saying goes, that something is coming on you. Just take honey, add preferably red Kampot pepper and then flavor your tea or milk with this delicacy. The resulting mixture can also be used in the kitchen A steak marinated in a sauce with added pepper honey gets an unprecedented flavor – and the same applies to a salad, for which you can prepare a tasty dressing from the golden treasure with crushed pieces of pepper. However, keep in mind that such quality pepper as ours from the Kampot region needs to be combined with quality honey. Do not look for good pepper or quality honey in the usual supermarket. Just as we look for the best peppercorns directly from Kampot farmers for you, you should also make an effort and find a local honey producer and buy honey directly from them. The quality of their honey will most likely far exceed the quality of honey available in a regular store. Moreover, you will support the local economy and the person who produces honey with pure love, often without the prospect of large profits.

In your kitchen, you surely have a whole range of ingredients whose origin you definitely do not know. It is clear that nowadays it is not possible to buy all ingredients from local sources, from known farmers and growers, but if you cook with ingredients that were put into your hands by those who grew or raised them themselves, believe that it will be much better to cook with such ingredients and the food will taste all the more delicious to you. In the name of direct trade, you can also directly influence many things The moment you go to farmers' markets and buy, for example, potatoes, in most cases you are making what is called direct trade. This term means purchasing an ingredient directly from the source who grew or raised that ingredient. And this is exactly how we buy pepper here at  .pepper..field from farmers in Cambodia.  There are several reasons why we decided to take this path. The most important is that thanks to this we have a perfect overview of quality and can guarantee that the peppercorns we offer are truly the best that the Kampot plantations have to offer. For direct sales, a fair reward The second equally important aspect for us is finance. Not the money that goes to us, but rather the money paid to the farmers from whom we buy the pepper. Only through direct contact with them do we have the certainty that they receive an adequate financial reward for their effort, without middlemen taking their percentage. Last but not least, it is very important for us to know from whom we obtain the pepper. We know the stories and names of the people who go out to their plantations every day to take care of the peppercorns. We know their wives and children and also their dreams. We try to fulfill those dreams, make their lives better, and bring the same smile to their faces that we have when we taste their pepper.  How do you like direct trade? ☺ We love it very much!

In the morning, they get up and head out to their pepper plantation bathed in sunlight. The sun rays, filtering through the leaves of the pepper vines, tickle the Cambodian farmers' faces until evening, when it's time to go back home. This scenario repeats day after day until it's time to harvest and dry the peppercorns, followed by selling the crop. For some farmers, this is a joyful final touch to their work, for others, a very demanding task that determines the future of their entire family. Why is it difficult for some farmers to sell their pepper, even though there is demand for it on the market? It might seem that farmers have no problem selling pepper of the quality that Kampot has. Unfortunately, the opposite is true in some cases, caused by several factors. The first stems from the problematic search for buyers. Many farms are located in remote places where traders do not want to travel – so farmers have to go to the traders. If they actually find one, a second problem arises, which is the language barrier.  Kampot pepper is primarily an export item, which means it is purchased by foreign traders who mostly do not speak Khmer. Therefore, communication between a small farmer and a foreign trader is often very problematic. We know which farmers need the most help However, the game is not won even at the moment when both trading partners agree. The production of some farms is so small that big traders simply are not interested. Buying from such a farm is not profitable for them as they would like. Farmers often have no choice but to sell their crop below price to at least get some financial reward for their work. And that is a great shame because pepper from such farmers is often far higher quality than pepper from large farms usually owned by foreigners, who see them only as a source of finance, to which the entire production is subordinated. We have decided to find our own way to avoid such pepper, to find our own and at the same time help the locals. We try to lend a hand precisely to those family farmers who are smaller, do not speak English, find it difficult to travel to the city, and get their pepper to the market. But these are exactly the families who know the surroundings of Kampot as perfectly as no one else. Also its exceptional soil, walked on for generations. And it is thanks to them that we can offer you pepper that has no equal in the world. 

With a box of chocolates or flowers, you can never go wrong, but at the same time, these are not very original Valentine's gifts... They rather give off a sense of panic, as if they were bought in a department store half an hour before a romantic date. If you want to avoid such clichés this year and be truly original, you can give a piece of sunny Cambodia in a gift Package, which clearly says what you feel for the other person. With a pepper set, you give the chance to create the best meal Pepper from the Kampot region, rightfully considered the best pepper in the world, is an ideal gift for all cooking lovers and those who appreciate unusual flavor notes that add the perfect zest to food. But why give just pepper when you can delight your significant other with a stylish grinder? With it, you can easily freshly grind, for example, our new product in the form of  dark red pepper, which is regarded as a true unique among peppercorns. This is precisely our hot new item, an ideal gift for Valentine's Day. Simply a gift with balls!  But what to do if your partner isn't much into cooking? In that case, you can be the one who works magic and serve a meal spiced with a touch of exotic flavors during a romantic candlelit dinner. As they say, love goes through the stomach. For dessert, you can serve your other half refined flavors hidden in our delicate  nut butters and unique delicate  chocolates. And the right mood will be ensured by some of our  pepper alcohols, which contain only the highest quality ingredients. In short, a piece of distant Asia in a single glass. And what else? As is well known, pepper can stimulate blood circulation in the body and thus warm it up. If you enjoy a menu based on Kampot pepper, believe us, you definitely won't want to go to sleep after such a feast. Furthermore, quality pepper is known as an aphrodisiac that causes physical desire. So how about giving it a try? ☺

Sustainability is a major topic and actually the absolute core of what we do, so whether you get any product offered by us in your hands, you can be sure that it contains Kampot pepper grown in a sustainable way. Moreover, it is always processed sustainably further. What does this mean in our case? Environmental Friendliness Every peppercorn from .pepper..field bathed in the rays of the Cambodian sun, absorbed the moisture of the Kampot jungles, and at the moment it was ready for harvest, it was taken by a farmer who cultivated it in the same way as generations of farmers before him. That is, without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides against pests – grown completely sustainably, in an undisturbed environment, the soil is not degraded and the water is not contaminated, no jungles are cut down, and no greenhouse gases escape into the air. Recyclable Packaging and Natural Materials We continue this natural way of growing pepper here in Prague as well. We try to pack all the grains into packaging that is easily biodegradable or recyclable for nature, so we can close their cycle into a loop. Ideally, when  you use our beautiful packaging again and again for any household use. Therefore, we mainly work with glass and wood.  Unfortunately, some of our products are still packed in plastic bags, which is mainly because there are not many alternatives on the market yet that would meet strict hygienic criteria and our demands for preserving pepper at maximum freshness. However, we try to choose from available options one that burdens the environment as little as possible and is fully recyclable and reusable. At the same time, by buying  quality pepper, a pinch is always enough and the food is seasoned to perfection – the smaller the amount, the less packaging material is consumed! 100% Fair Cooperation and Purchase at a Fair Price The last sustainable path we love most of all is primarily the entire essence of our project, which is based on fair trade, direct trade, and help. We constantly try to teach, educate, and assist our farmers' families with all processes so that they can permanently always sell their Kampot pepper at a fair price, even if we are not helping them at the moment. This is our path to sustainability, which we try to pass on to our customers as well.