Power of Piment d'Espelette
The Basque spice you need in your pantry
A Chef Favorite
Authentic Piment d’Espelette AOP has long been prized by the best chefs around the world for its fruity flavor, fragrant red pepper aroma and gentle spice. This coveted pepper powder—hailing from the Basque region of the southwest France—has a warm, food-friendly heat that complements many types of cuisines.
How to Use
The possibilities are endless—use it in marinades and dry rubs for chicken, pork or seafood, add it to creamy roasted red pepper soup or even sprinkle a pinch over chocolate ice cream for a sweet & spicy treat. Read on for our 7 favorite ways to spice things up with Piment d'Espelette.
What's in a Name?
In the case of Piment d’Espelette AOP, a pepper by any other name would not taste as sweet. This rare, hand-harvested red chile pepper enjoys a Protected Designation of Origin (or Appellation d'Origine Protégée) acknowledging the specific terroir that grants it its inimitable flavor profile. Read on for more about what's so special about an AOP.
7 Ways to Spice Up Your Kitchen 
- Use a sprinkle of Piment d'Espelette to elevate any egg dish—from scrambled or coddled eggs to devilishly good Double Deviled Eggs (pictured, right).
- Top crispy fried potatoes with a dollop of Espelette Aioli.
- For a quick last-minute appetizer, top crostini with succulent pieces of cod confit and garnish with Piment d'Espelette.
- Whip up a vibrant citrus salad—top slices of orange and grapefruit with a hearty pour of fruity extra virgin olive oil and finish with a sprinkle of Piment d'Espelette and fleur de sel.
- Meet your new go-to spring condiment, Basque Chimichurri. Try it over blanched asparagus and top with chopped hardboiled egg.
- Make a spicy compound butter—stir a teaspoon of Piment d'Espelette into softened salted butter. Use to garnish pan-seared steaks, grilled shrimp or toss with hot popcorn.
- End your meal on a sweet & spicy note with chocolate pots de crème flavored with a pinch of Piment d'Espelette.
Latest Articles
