One of the more unusual ingredients that sets Moonshiner’s Margaret Street Signature Gin apart is the Dorrigo Pepper. What is it exactly? Allow us to introduce you to this special Australian native botanical.
Dorrigo Pepper, scientifically known as Tasmannia stipitata, shares its family with the well-known Tasmanian pepperberry (Tasmannia lanceolata). Where the Tassie Pepperberry boasts a bold, peppery flavour with a touch of sweetness, the Dorrigo Pepper offers an intensely firey and vibrant taste with cinnamon and citrus undertones.
Unsurprisingly, the Dorrigo Pepper shrub is commonly found on the Dorrigo Plateau, from the temperate forests in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.
Dorrigo Pepper boasts a distinctive flavour; a delightful fusion of citrus and woody notes, and a surprising hit of heat that tantalises the palate. Its vibrant peppery taste can come from both the elongated berry-shaped fruit, and dried leaves from the plant.
As an aromatic pepper, Dorrigo has an exciting future. Given it’s much stronger than black pepper, only use 3/4 when swapping into any savoury dishes if you want to keep your palate intact!
As the demand for unique and locally-sourced ingredients grows, Dorrigo Pepper is sure to be a botanical that distillers reach for and experiment with.
So, whether you’re an adventurous home mixologist or a seasoned gin enthusiast, consider elevating your gin experience with Dorrigo Pepper! Whether it’s in a savoury dish or just a glass of Moonshiner’s Margaret Street Signature Gin, it’s sure to add a tantalising twist to your gin creations and enrich your journey into the tantalising world of gin.
