Michelin-Star Taste for Volcanic Pepper Boosts Cameroon
- World’s best peppercorn hails from tropical African valley
- EU helped pepper producers obtain unique brand protection
The volcanic soil of the Penja valley in the West African nation of Cameroon produces the world’s most coveted white pepper, prized by Michelin-starred chefs and sold by specialty online shops including Edelices Gourmet Food in the U.K.
With a delicate musky flavor, Penja pepper fetches as much as 31.25 euros ($35.65) per 100 grams (3.5 ounces) at Edelices, compared with the equivalent of 2.80 euros for the ordinary white variety at Tesco Plc supermarkets. It’s one of three African foods to obtain the protected geographical indications label under a system that the European Union wants recognized worldwide.