Chaste-Tree Pepper

Whole chaste-tree pepper – a mild-savoury chaste-tree seed for game and braises

Chaste-tree pepper (Vitex agnus-castus), also known as monk's pepper or chaste-tree seed, is not a true pepper but the dried fruit of the chaste tree. It has no heat, but rather a resinous-balsamic, lightly peppery aroma with hints of bay and sage. Packed in our workshop in Klingenberg am Main.

Taste & aroma

Resinous, balsamic, mild-savoury – without the heat of black pepper. Fine notes of bay, sage and eucalyptus that go particularly well with dark meat and braises.

How to use

Goes excellently with dark meat such as game and game birds. Also with braises, strong sauces and root vegetables. Crush fresh in the mortar for full aroma, or let whole berries steep in braising liquid and remove before serving.

Important: store dry, dark and well sealed. As whole berries the aroma lasts longest, so mortar it fresh only just before use.

At a glance

• Chaste-tree pepper (Vitex agnus-castus), also chaste-tree seed
• Without heat, resinous-balsamic and mild-savoury
• Ideal for game, game birds and braises
• Mortar fresh for full aroma
• Packed in Klingenberg am Main, without additives

Goes well with

For game dishes: our game spice and Förster's braising pot. Pepper specialities: cubeb pepper and long pepper. A mortar recommendation: Granite Mortar Gigant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chaste-tree pepper hot?
No. Chaste-tree pepper has no heat, but a resinous-balsamic, mild-savoury aroma. Botanically it is not a true pepper.

What do I use chaste-tree pepper for?
Mainly for dark meat such as game and game birds, for braises and strong sauces. Freshly mortared, it develops its aroma best.

Why is it called chaste-tree seed?
The name comes from the chaste-tree shrub (Vitex agnus-castus), whose dried fruits are used. In the kitchen, only the resinous-savoury aroma counts.

How do I store chaste-tree pepper?
Dry, dark and well sealed. As whole berries the aroma lasts longest, so mortar it fresh only just before use.