Frequently Bought Together
Important Information
Ingredients
100% red pepper
Legal Disclaimer
Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than what is shown on our website. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product. Please see our full disclaimer below.
100% red pepper
Legal Disclaimer
Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than what is shown on our website. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product. Please see our full disclaimer below.
Product Description
The plant, originally from Mexico and to a lesser extent South America, was introduced in France from the New World around the 16th century. After first being used medicinally, it has since become popular for preparing condiments and for the conservation of meat and ham. It is now a cornerstone of Basque cuisine, where it has gradually replaced black pepper and it is a key ingredient in piperade. AOC espelette peppers are cultivated in the following communes: Ainhoa, Cambo-les-Bains, Espelette, Halsou, Itxassou, Jatxou, Larressore, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Souraďde, and Ustaritz. It is harvested in late summer and, in September, characteristic festoons of pepper are hung on balconies and house walls throughout the communes to dry out. An annual pepper festival, attracting some 20,000 tourists, is held in October.
Product Details
Would you like to give feedback on images? |
Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed
-
Fennel Pollen (0.5 oz.)
$14.27 -
Piment d'Espelette AOC
$19.50 -
Espelette Pepper Powder
$17.99
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Piment d'Espelette is a unique product. It is subject to Appellation d'Origine Controlee regulation, which extends the right to use the AOC label only to ten communes in the Basque country in France. The peppers are grown, harvested, dried and prepared subject to strict regulation and, like wine, cheese and other products subject to the AOC, must display the typical "organoleptic characteristics" of the traditionally produced spice. Piment d'Espelette is never strong or screamingly hot, so if you are expecting something akin to Scotch Bonnet peppers, or the acrid bite of "chili pepper" blends, look elsewhere. However, it does have a sweet and smoky aroma, akin to good pimenton or paprika, along with a distinct peppery 'bite' at the finish.
Piment d'Espelette is never inexpensive and it is usually not easy to find in the US, so having this source available is great. I use it in almost everything -- for example, peel and slice cucumbers, toss with a good quantity of freshly squeezed lemon juice (Meyer lemons preferred), a pinch of sugar, a large pinch of fleur de sel or kosher salt, and a pinch of piment d'Espelette. Let the cukes sit in a colander for up to half an hour, tossing occasionally, then serve. Trust me, you will not fail to notice the presence of the piment. It's also great and sufficiently assertive to dress a good sized composed salad with just a pinch in a basic vinaigrette dressing of lemon juice, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard and grapeseed, walnut or olive oil. Wonderful sprinkled lightly over a platter of carved "rotisserie chicken" from the grocery. Adds a nice edge to rillettes or a terrine. Adds pop to scrambled eggs, quiche... just think of anything you'd like to lend a subtly sweet, smoky and hot red peppery note, and give it a healthy pinch of piment d'Espelette.
Another reviewer reports that he received piment d'Espelette from this source ("Touch of France") that was tasteless. I've not had that experience. I received very fresh piment with the AOC labeling, with aromas and flavors that are perfectly "typique." If you really want to get "fresh," you could go with the whole dried, corded peppers which are also sold subject to the AOC (corded by hand with no fewer than 20 peppers per cord). I like the convenience of the ground piment and recommend this supplier without reservation based on the product I received. The price is about as fair as one can find nowadays, and I bet you can double up on the order for a single shipping charge.
For more about piment d'Espelette generally, you can google piment d'Espelette and you will find the "Site officiel de l'AOC" (alas, for some reason the good folks at Amazon would not allow me to include the URL in this review).
Piment d'Espelette is never inexpensive and it is usually not easy to find in the US, so having this source available is great. I use it in almost everything -- for example, peel and slice cucumbers, toss with a good quantity of freshly squeezed lemon juice (Meyer lemons preferred), a pinch of sugar, a large pinch of fleur de sel or kosher salt, and a pinch of piment d'Espelette. Let the cukes sit in a colander for up to half an hour, tossing occasionally, then serve. Trust me, you will not fail to notice the presence of the piment. It's also great and sufficiently assertive to dress a good sized composed salad with just a pinch in a basic vinaigrette dressing of lemon juice, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard and grapeseed, walnut or olive oil. Wonderful sprinkled lightly over a platter of carved "rotisserie chicken" from the grocery. Adds a nice edge to rillettes or a terrine. Adds pop to scrambled eggs, quiche... just think of anything you'd like to lend a subtly sweet, smoky and hot red peppery note, and give it a healthy pinch of piment d'Espelette.
Another reviewer reports that he received piment d'Espelette from this source ("Touch of France") that was tasteless. I've not had that experience. I received very fresh piment with the AOC labeling, with aromas and flavors that are perfectly "typique." If you really want to get "fresh," you could go with the whole dried, corded peppers which are also sold subject to the AOC (corded by hand with no fewer than 20 peppers per cord). I like the convenience of the ground piment and recommend this supplier without reservation based on the product I received. The price is about as fair as one can find nowadays, and I bet you can double up on the order for a single shipping charge.
For more about piment d'Espelette generally, you can google piment d'Espelette and you will find the "Site officiel de l'AOC" (alas, for some reason the good folks at Amazon would not allow me to include the URL in this review).
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great spice, typical of the southern Basque area of France. Slightly spicy/hot, it adds great depth of flavor to any dish where you would think a dried pepper such as paprika might be appropriate. Used to be very hard to find in the US.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Exactly what my son-in-law, who is a gourmet chef as a hobby, requested. It was a birthday gift for him and he was thrilled because he could not find it locally.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely......but......
.....If I were blindfolded, I probably couldn't taste the diff between this fine product and smoked, hot paprika, partic. if other strong flavors like vinegar have been added. Read more
Published 20 days ago by celinedion
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Spice
I bought this because a recipe that I was going to make called for it. It has a really unique flavor and now use it in a lot of dished that I make.
Published 1 month ago by David M Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good quality, fragrant
This good quality, fragrant Piment d'Espelette is a nice complement to my kitchen and my Basque cookbooks. I like that it's packaged in glass, too.
Published 1 month ago by Melinda Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
After returning from Paris wanted to use this at home
Good flavor...have used on Salmon and in soups. Not truly a whole lot different from other red peppers but love having it to remind me of France
Published 3 months ago by Sheila Englebardt
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good quality, good price
I've never seen this item in an American grocery store, and Thomas Keller calls for it in recipes, like Peperonata Rustica, but it's also great on scrambled eggs, or in a dry rub. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good for coloring some dishes
I learned of this pepper powder from a chef at work.
I use it to color some bland-colored dishes and make them look more interesting. Read more
I use it to color some bland-colored dishes and make them look more interesting. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jess
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Product
I was searching for this spice as a birthday favor for my son's 30th birthday party held at a basque restaurant. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Linda S. Klipp
4.0 out of 5 stars
Expensive but Tasty
I used this Piment d'Espellete for a Pate over Thanksgiving ([...]).
It has a robust full flavor with more fruit qualities than other Piment'(o)s I've used. Read more
It has a robust full flavor with more fruit qualities than other Piment'(o)s I've used. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J.P.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hopefully good
I purchased this for a pumpkin soup recipe because I could not find it in stores. I have not used it yet. Read more
Published 6 months ago by MtnGrl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Piment d'Espelette - Red Chili Pepper Powder from France 1.4oz
This is a delicious addition to soups, just 1/2 tsp or 1 tsp if you like a little more heat. A unique and subtle flavor.
Published 7 months ago by carol
