By far the most traded spice in the world[1], pepper’s popularity among consumers has historically meant low profit margins, with the ‘king of spices’ being traded like any other volume-driven commodity. However, in 2016 the region of Kampot in Cambodia has earned the coveted EU’s designation of Protected Geographical Indication for the production of pepper, changing the pepper game worldwide. No other pepper in the world can claim the designation: not even Tellicherry, the area that has long been thought to produce the most prestigious pepper.

“We’ve all seen the growth in the gourmet salt market and it’s a shame that retailers are not making the most of the item that sits right next to it: pepper. Consumers have bought into high quality salt: why should they pair it with pepper that doesn’t match the taste, provenance and worth?” says Peter Schaebbicke, founder of BoTree. “Retailers now have the opportunity to tap into a new segment that will give them healthy returns, with consumers primed for the offer of real gourmet pepper and a region, Kampot, that can deliver it.”

An increasingly trendy item among foodies, Kampot pepper is considered the finest by chefs including Michel Roux, Jr. and Rick Stein, who promote it extensively through their recipes[2]. BoTree has been building a name for its Kampot pepper: it has won five Great Taste awards (in 2017 and 2018) and is the official pepper supplier to all 2018 BBC Good Food Shows and Historic Royal Palace food festivals, which reach over 10m consumers in the UK every year. BoTree’s direct sales have grown 165% year on year, and has a strong growing distribution network which include Fine Food Angels and Ochil Foods.

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About BoTree

On a mission to bring the finest seasonings to every foodie’s table, BoTree (botreefarm.co.uk) is a family-owned producer of 100% organic, single-source Kampot Pepper, Fleur de Sel, and other exclusive seasoning products. Reclaimed after the Khmer Rouge regime destroyed all pepper crops in the region, Botree’s ethical farm supports the renaissance of pepper farming in Cambodia. BoTree founders send regular shipments of their award-winning seasonings from Kampot to their family home in Perthshire, Scotland where they are sold widely across Europe. The BoTree farm currently employs over 20 workers, many of whom are family members on the Khmer side, who receive free lodging and food, as well as higher than average salaries for the sector.

Where to buy BoTree Seasonings

Top Drawer, Stand FE422

Online at www.botreefarm.co.uk  

BoTree products and pricing

• Black Kampot Pepper, 90g, £9.95
• Red Kampot Pepper, 90g, £12.95
• White Kampot Pepper, 90g, £12.95
• 3-Pepper Gift Set, £35.00
• Kampot Fleur de Sel, 150g, £5.95
• Salted Pepper Berries 100g £15.00
• Herbs de Kampot 150g £8.95
• White Pipali Pearls 100g £12.00

For more information, interviews and high-resolution images, please visit Stand FE422 or contact

Valentina Moressa

Communications Manager

tel: +44 (0) 7515264514

email: info@botreefarm.co.uk 

www.twitter.com/KampotPepperPro  

www.facebook.com/kampotpepperdirect 

www.instagram.com/kampotpepperuk 

[1] “Accounting for more than one-fifth of all imported spices in 2016 worth an estimated $4.69 billion, pepper is by far the most trade spice in the world. Between 2012 and 2016, world demand for pepper grew by 9% in value and 4% in quantity, suggesting that it is becoming more expensive.” http://www.intracen.org/news/These-are-the-worlds-three-most-traded-spices/

[2] https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/peppered_beef_fillet_61512