Why We Use Long Pepper in Our Herbal Tea Infusions
🌿 Why We Use Long Pepper in Our Herbal Tea Infusions
There are numerous spices with abundant flavors. But, few spices carry the history, warmth, and quiet sophistication of long pepper (Piper longum). While its close cousin, black pepper, sits proudly on every kitchen table, long pepper has remained one of the spice world’s best-kept secrets — a centuries-old ingredient that’s both comforting and intriguing. Lichen + Leaf chooses to use the long pepper in our chai infusion because of its depth, balance, and healing character.
🌸 A Spice with Ancient Roots
Long pepper has been utilized in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. Known in Sanskrit as pippali, it was used to stimulate digestion, open the respiratory system, and awaken the senses. Ancient texts even mention it as a rejuvenating tonic — one that “kindles the inner fire” and supports vitality.
When infused in tea the gentle heat of long pepper enlivens the blend, bringing warmth and a smoky character without harshness — the kind that spreads slowly and lingers beautifully.
☕ A Flavor Unlike Any Other
Long pepper’s flavor unfolds in layers: first spicy and peppery, then subtly sweet with hints of cardamom, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It adds depth and resonance to herbal blends, tying together floral, citrus, and root notes with a grounding warmth.
We love it because it:
Balances sweet and floral herbs like hibiscus and lavender.
Enhances earthy roots such as ginger.
Adds a gentle heat that soothes and stimulates rather than burns.
Each sip feels both familiar and different — like a memory of something ancient, rediscovered.
🍃 Our Philosophy of Flavor and Function
Every ingredient in our infusions is chosen with intention: for its story, its energy, and its harmony with others. Long pepper embodies all three. It bridges the sensory and the spiritual, reminding us that tea is more than a drink — it’s a ritual of connection.
So the next time you sip one of our blends and feel a subtle warmth blooming from within, know that it’s the quiet magic of long pepper — an ancient spice whispering through the leaves.
