Spice news

Spices of Hobart

The capital of Tasmania, home of the native pepperberry, Tasmannia lanceolata, a hot, fruity wild spice.

Traded and grown here

Tasmannia lanceolataBlack pepper

Best time: December to March, in summer.

Hobart is a harbour city beneath Mount Wellington. Tasmania's cool forests grow Tasmannia lanceolata, called mountain pepper or pepperberry, a shrub whose leaves and berries are used as a spice. Aboriginal Tasmanians used native plants long before Europeans arrived.

Franklin Wharf Hobart at sunrise 2015
Photo: Michael fromholtz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Spices and trade

The dried black berries are hot, with a fruity and slightly resinous scent, and the leaves are also used. The spice is added to meats, cheeses, chocolate and sauces, and a little goes a long way. Spice makers in Tasmania sell it ground and whole.

The place and its people

The Salamanca Market on Saturdays and the waterside food scene sell local produce. The city is also known for its whisky, cheese and seafood.

Visiting

Salamanca Market is the best place to find local spice sellers.

A trail idea for Hobart

  1. Salamanca Market Look for pepperberry products.
  2. Hobart waterfront Eat fresh seafood.
  3. Mount Wellington Take the drive to the summit.
  4. A local distillery Taste native-flavoured spirits.
About this page

Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Hobart" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.

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