Phu Quoc Pepper: Unveil the secret behind the best pepper in Vietnam

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Phu Quoc pepper is an important specialty of the Pearl Island (Source: Collected)

Phu Quoc pepper has been grown on the Pearl Island for a long time. The island has been developing strongly and has become the largest pepper growing area in the Southwestern region. There are more than 700 households growing pepper here, so the number of pepper farms is very large. This specialty also plays an important role in the culinary culture of Vietnam.

1. About Phu Quoc Pepper

1.1. Unique characteristics of Phu Quoc Pepper

Phu Quoc pepper has an aromatic and pungent taste and, especially, it is stronger than the peppers in other regions. This pepper is famous for its hard shell, firm seed, and spicy and strong aroma that cannot be matched anywhere else.

The people of Phu Quoc have preserved pepper farming not only for economic purposes but also for its great cultural and tourism value. Pepper is a local specialty and a unique gift for tourists around the country and the world. The pepper farms here are always included in the list of destinations in Phu Quoc tours.

You can come across pepper farms everywhere in Phu Quoc. Pepper has been grown in Phu Quoc for a long time. This place is also known as the largest pepper growing area in the Southwestern region, that is why people call it the “kingdom of pepper”.

People harvest pepper from the 12th to the 1st lunar months. In order to get aromatic quality pepper with the right taste, people have to dry the pepper for at least ten days and then sieve it to remove dust.

Phu Quoc pepper is classified into 3 main types: black pepper, white pepper, and pink pepper.

• Black pepper is fairly common, often used in households or restaurants. It is harvested while still green, then dried and has a light aroma.
• White pepper has a characteristic color because its outer shell is removed. White pepper is more fragrant and spicier than black pepper. It is often chosen by tourists as gifts.
• Pink pepper (also known as Phu Quoc red pepper) is the highest quality pepper and is also a specialty of Phu Quoc. The ripe pink pepper is picked then dried. It is usually rounder and bigger than other types of pepper.

There are many types of Phu Quoc pepper (Source: Collected)

The pepper can also be processed into other products, such as pink pepper salt, nourishing salt, lemon pepper salt, shrimp salt, sugar pepper, etc. Among them, pink pepper salt looks quite similar to shrimp salt but has a mildly spicy aroma of pepper and is not too salty. It is used to dip fruit, boiled food, or seafood.

On the other hand, sugar pepper is ground then mixed with Phu Quoc fish sauce and sugar, and finally ground again for the mixture to nicely blend. Sugar pepper is used to serve with boiled food or braised fish and meat.

1.2. Health benefits of Phu Quoc Pepper

In addition to being used as a seasoning for meals, pepper has a number of medicinal effects. The pepper is rich in antioxidants, which help strengthen the immune system and prevent cell damage, cancer, and heart disease. Not only that, it works for diseases such as asthma, aches, sore throat, digestive disorders, periodic fever, and indigestion symptoms.

Phu Quoc pepper has a number of medicinal effects (Source: Collected)

1.3. How to buy Phu Quoc Pepper?

Visitors can buy different types of pepper directly at the farms right after visiting or at many traditional markets and night markets in Duong Dong Town. Depending on the type, Phu Quoc pepper prices vary as follows:

• Phu Quoc Black Pepper Price: about 220,000 – 300,000 VND/kilogram (around US$10-13)
• Phu Quoc White Pepper Price: about 300,000 – 380,000 VND/kilogram (around US$13-16)
• Phu Quoc Pink Pepper Price: about 280,000 – 380,000 VND/kilogram (around US$12-16)

Visitors can buy different types of pepper directly at Phu Quoc pepper farms (Source: Collected)

Usually, when buying pepper directly at the farms, you will receive better prices than buying from traders in the market. It is not because you are being ripped off at the markets, but simply because the traders have to include additional costs of transportation and storage into the prices.

2. TOP 5 beautiful Phu Quoc pepper farms you should not miss

Pepper farms are a popular photo spot among young people in Phu Quoc. The farms are ideal as photo backgrounds with their green spaces and tight pepper clusters hidden behind an attractive foliage.

Coming to Phu Quoc pepper farms, visitors will enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences, such as:

• Becoming a real farmer by picking pepper right in the heart of the farm.
• Learning about the process of making Phu Quoc pepper and discovering the history of this unique, long-standing spice from the beautiful island.
• Taking photos amidst lush, green pathways that create a maze-like backdrop, accented by the vibrant red of ripe pepper.

Visitors of Phu Quoc pepper farms will enjoy many one-of-a-kind experiences (Source: Collected)

Some outstanding pepper farms in Phu Quoc that you should not miss:

• Khu Tuong Pepper Farm: About 15 kilometers away from Duong Dong Town to the North, this is the largest pepper farm in Phu Quoc. Though quite far from the town, it welcomes a lot of visitors every year.
• Huynh Thy Pepper Farm: The farm is located at Quarter 4, Suoi May Hamlet, Duong To Commune. It is famous for incorporating green spaces with outdoor coffee shops, bringing a comfortable and fresh experience to every visitor.
• Suoi Da Pepper Farm: The farm is only about 1 kilometer away from the center of Duong Dong Town.
• Suoi Lon Pepper Farm: The farm is located on the road from Duong Dong t=Town to Bai Sao, An Thoi.
• North Island Pepper Farms: In the north of Phu Quoc, on the way to Ganh Dau, there are several other pepper farms that you can visit along the way.

There are many Phu Quoc pepper farms for you to explore (Source: Collected)

From here, visitors can conveniently go to the entertainment paradise VinWonders Phu Quoc, which is the largest theme park in Vietnam and a top-rated one in Asia. Here, visitors of all ages and preferences can find their ideal games. With 6 subdivisions inspired by world civilizations and enchanting fairy tales, this place will surely bring a magical experience for visitors.

VinWonders Phu Quoc is the largest theme park in Vietnam

Book VinWonders Phu Quoc ticket online, skip the line

Not only famous for fresh seafood or vast forests, the Pearl Island is also renowned for its Phu Quoc pepper trademark. This is a unique specialty and a suitable gift for visitors to get every time they come here. In addition, many couples who chose to travel to Phu Quoc have come to the pepper farms as a place to take their wedding photos and enjoy their tours.