What is Horopito?
Also known as New Zealand's Native Bush Pepper - Horopito (or sometimes referred to as Mountain Horopito) is a smallish evergreen shrub whose leaves often have a red tinge or red blotches which is native to New Zealand. It can be found growing in lowland forests, though greater concentrations are found in lower mountain areas of New Zealand's North Island. There is a small locality called Horopito in the North Island central plateau area - so named because of there is much Horopito found growing in the natural bush in that area. This is where Forest Gourmet's Horopito leaf is sourced from.
The leaves have a hot peppery taste - which is where our interest in its use a spice or herb for culinary use comes from.
How to cook with Horopito?
Our dried horopito leaf is versatile to use either as a spice / herb ingredient during cooking (or baking), or as a finishing seasoning spice at the end. For some dishes even a combination of both works well.
As an ingredient, you simply add it in at the same time as you would any other herbs, spices, or flavourings. This works well when you want to have the taste of the horopito spread throughout your dish.
As a finishing spice, you can sprinkle it on top of the cooked dish just before serving - or have some on the table for people to add their own in the same way you might have pepper and salt available on the table.
With any recipe that uses normal / black pepper - you can substitute in dried horopito instead.
For ideas and inspiration, our recipes section includes a number of recipes that use horopito.