Javanese Comet's Tails or kemukas as they are known locally are a wonderful rarity among the world of Piper (true pepper) family. Known to the west since medieval times as Piper cubeba or Cubebs, this pepper has a wonderful fresh aroma of pepper, pine and lemons. On the tongue, Comet's Tails exhibit a distinctly cooling menthol feeling offset by the peppery heat and a bright citrus-like sweetness. Traditionally, Comet's Tails were used in a variety of curries and ground spice mixtures for darker meats such as duck and pigeon and beef. They were also fresh ground and added to the famous kretek or clove cigarette to add a soothing menthol aspect to the smoke! On a different note all together, Javanese claim the Comet's Tail has extraordinary powers as an aphrodisiac - So however you choose to use them, consider yourself warned! In modern cuisine, Comet's Tails work wonderfully with all manner of foods; from lamb, duck, fish and shellfish to sweet, slightly acidic desserts such as citrus sorbets. It is even at home ground lightly over a slice of fresh fois gras! Using your Comet's Tails - Comet's Tails can be ground using most any traditional pepper grinder.
- Electric spice mills produce a wonderfully fine grind in larger quantities.
- Comet's tails can be used whole in curries and stews to impart their unique flavor.
- Mortar and Pestles are the traditional equipment of choice for grinding Comet's Tails.
|
