Boraan – Nice treats from Cambodia!
Cambodia: More than just pepper
Cambodia has a lot to offer! The Southeast Asian country with a population of approx. 17 million people is rich in cultural history. Not only the famous temple complexes in Siem Reap are witnesses of a past advanced civilisation, the kingdom of Kambuja, which had its greatest extent around the year 1200 and stretched over large parts of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar all the way to Malaysia. It was a powerful and wealthy kingdom, not least due to its progressive methods of irrigation. Many of the ancient handicrafts and traditions were thriving at that time.
Pepper cultivation also has been practised for centuries in Cambodia. Beginning in the 1870s – Cambodia was a French protectorate and later integrated into French Indochina – pepper cultivation was intensified with pepper grown in the region of Kampot quickly gaining a reputation as one of the finest peppers in the world. Yearly export quotas could hit up to 8,000 tons at peak times. Cambodia's recent past, however, is marked by violence, war and great misery. Decades of war and conflicts would push the country into poverty. Under the rule of the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, approx. two million people – at that time about a quarter of Cambodia's population – lost their lives.
During this time, exports of any kind came to a complete halt. After the end of the civil war, families of pepper farmers returned to their lands and began to resume pepper cultivation following their traditional methods. In 2021, yearly production of Kampot Pepper hit the mark of a hundred tons for the first time again. In 2016, Kampot Pepper was registered as a protected geographical indication (PGI) in the EU, the first Cambodian product to be registered.
Since then, Kampot Pepper has been a protected trademark. Only certified pepper farmers can distribute their pepper under this term. Cultivation is subject to strict guidelines, and compliance with those guidelines is strictly controlled. Perfect climatic conditions and natural farming methods give Kampot Pepper its distinctive, unique aroma, which makes it appreciated by top chefs around the world.
Discover Our Gift Sets
Thoughtfully curated Kampot pepper collections, ready to give. From our signature trio of black, white and red pepper to essence bottles and keepsake carrying boxes — each set brings the taste of Cambodia's most celebrated spice to any table.
Kampot Travel Tips: What to See and Do
Kampot is the name not only of the province in Cambodia that gave the famous pepper its name, but also of a small town: Kampot City is a popular destination for tourists, and Cambodians love coming here too, for example to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Photo by Cambodia Tourism Board on Unsplash, cover photo by Aritra Roy on Unsplash
