Pink peppercorns, can they be harvested, if so details pls

whataview


Joined: 10/02/2009
Posts: 376

Message Posted:
18/09/2011 18:08

Hi, I have a pepper tree with pink peppercorns and basically wanted to know if they are safe to harvest, if so when and do they need drying or any other treatment?



Many thanks gardeners

Enchanted


Joined: 20/07/2008
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
18/09/2011 18:16

Schinus (false pepper tree)

Look on google.

Not suitable for human consumtion as they contain toxic substances.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
18/09/2011 18:19

All my TC neighbours use them after drying

LittleQueenie


Joined: 20/04/2011
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
18/09/2011 20:26

Enchanted,



I also have Pink Peppercorn trees and I have eaten them and am still alive to tell the tale!



Its true they aren't 'really' a Peppercorn but you can eat them- I have a jar of them in the cupboard from Marks & Spencer.. And they are often cooked with Fish



http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A593057

LittleQueenie


Joined: 20/04/2011
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
18/09/2011 20:33

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schinus_molle



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgrf9eWcv4o

Enchanted


Joined: 20/07/2008
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
18/09/2011 22:05

Its a tricky one isn't queenie. I was told not to eat them by a Cypriot, and that they can cause liver damage. When I googled it, I found this reference....

http://www.rareplants.de/shop/prodtype.asp?CAT_ID=600

If in doubt don't

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
19/09/2011 08:17

Quote: Schinus or False Pepper .... bright colored red to rose berries, which have a pepper-like taste and are used in the cookery as decorative addition to real pepper seeds ....

Note: The berries shall not be consumed excessively, as they contain several toxic substances, which are harmful in higher concentrations to the human body. A couple of berries are sufficient to add color and flavor to many meat dishes or salads.

End quote



So if you are sure they are this plant, they can be used in small quantities.. but I wouldn't bother unless a specific recipe calls for them. Collect a few and them them dry in the sun until they look like black pepper corns (i.e. shrivelled up) then store them in an empty spice jar. They'll probably take up space in your spice cupboard rather than prove useful.