A wild spice that is both peppery and fragrant.

Dune pepper, or crisp pepper, is the catkin of a variety of crisp alder, also known as late alder. It is therefore not, botanically speaking, a true pepper. To the eye, it may resemble long pepper, but in terms of flavor, it is quite different.

Its aroma is rich and extremely complex, with a floral, almost musky side. It also has a resinous, piney side reminiscent of the forest from which it comes. It can be used in stews, marinades, and homemade chutneys. Its flavor also pairs well with citrus fruits. It is also a good complement to wild meat dishes, whether braised or stewed. Because dune pepper has a peppery taste, with a slight bitterness, it is often used as a classic pepper. However, it is not recommended to grind it in a mill, as it is rich in resin and could clog the mechanism.

This dune pepper comes from the boreal forest; it is picked near Girardville, in the northern part of the Lac St-Jean region, in specially created tillers. Harvesting takes place between October and December, before the snow and winter sun dull the intensity of its aroma.