Piper cubeba

plant

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July 1, 2026

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Piper cubeba, also known as Java pepper, is a climbing plant native to East India. It belongs to the Piper genus within the Piperaceae family, which is significant for its diverse species used as spices, seasonings, and in traditional medicines.12

The dried, unripe berries of Piper cubeba are called cubeb and are used as a spice. Cubeb is also utilized in various medicines and for flavoring products like cigarettes and bitters, particularly in Southeast Asia. The pungency of Piper peppers is due to compounds like chavicine and piperine.32

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Piperaceae
P. cubeba, of particular importance in Southeast Asia, is the source of cubeb, used in various medicines and for flavouring cigarettes and bitters. In the Orient, chewing the leaves of the betel pepper, P. betle, with slices of betel nut (Areca catechu) and lime, is…
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P. cubeba, of particular importance in Southeast Asia, is the source of cubeb, used in various medicines and for flavouring cigarettes and bitters. In the Orient, chewing the leaves of the betel pepper, P. betle, with slices of betel nut (Areca catechu) and lime, is…
Read More