Piment d'Espelette
Let me introduce you to the Espelette pepper. These peppers are grown only in the village of Espelette, a mere 24 kilometers or 24 minutes away from Biarritz. It's practically in our neighborhood! This pepper isn’t the kind that is out to burn your taste buds; it's more about adding a little kick. It has a vibrant red color. The locals string them up and hang them on houses to dry. Once these peppers are dried and finely ground into a powder, they have a smoky-sweet flavor, similar to smoked paprika. Espelette shows up in all sorts of dishes, from sausages to stews, and they're like the secret ingredient for Basque chefs. Another thing I learned is that the French government allows only a small amount of Piment d'Espelette to be exported, which increases the rarity and price of these chiles elsewhere in the world.
We had a great day exploring Espelette, Irouleguy, and St Jean Pied de Port. Espelette, the pepper paradise, is a charming village. Its buildings are adorned with the famous Espelette peppers. Irouleguy takes you to the heart of Basque wine country. It's a quaint village surrounded by vineyards. Our lunch took us to Jarapea, a restaurant that offered a simple and delicious menu. From where we were seated, we had a view of lush, rolling green hills with the Pyrenees gracing the background. There were just two options for entree, two for the plats, and two for dessert, you'd think it'd be easy to pick a favorite, but honestly, each course was so good. It was a culinary experience that we won't forget.
St. Jean Pied de Port, a true gem. It's known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and cobbled streets. It's also a famous stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The hightlight for us was at "Les Récoltes du Monde", a shop that has the most incredible array of spices. This place is a spice lover's heaven. Gabe was SO stoked. Imagine bags upon bags of colorful, aromatic spices from every corner of the globe. The best part is that the shopkeepers really know their stuff; they can tell you all about the origins and flavors of each spice.
I'm totally inspired! What if I dive headfirst into becoming an Espellete pepper expert? It's more than just a spice; it's a flavorful journey waiting to be explored. I could start by hunting down a specialized cookbook dedicated solely to this pepper. Maybe I can find a cooking class entirely devoted to this pepper? Imagine the possibilities – learning the ins and outs of this local delight. So, maybe, I'll become the go-to guru on all things Espellete pepper. Peut-être. But first, I'd better give it a taste to ensure it lives up to the hype. jajajaja
Please feel free to drop your thoughts and comments on my posts. I'm eager to see what you think. :)
