Eat The Weeds: Episode 148: Brazilian Pepper

Brazilian Pepper is a controversial spice tree and invasive species with toxic relatives. Should you use it? Make up your own mind. Read about a thousand edible wild plants on: www.eattheweeds.com. Green Deane is the most watched forager in the world.

[@rackattackgamer7928]

I'm so glad you're making videos again. Please, keep it up! If you ever feel that you're running out of ideas or that you're being redundant, don't worry about it. Just come on here and talk about anything. You should monetize your channel. How come you have not monetized it yet? Thank you, and I'm very glad you're on again, keep it up.

[@greendeane1]

I have no idea how to monetize it.

[@rackattackgamer7928]

@@greendeane1 Hi Deane, nice to talk to you again. (1 cent book guy & watched ALL your videos, twice even). Anyhow, nearly every question you have is likely already addressed on KZbin itself. Do a search for "how to monetize on KZbin" or similar. The more precise you word your searches, the easier you will find what it is you are looking for. I don't have the correct amount of subscribers/view hours on my channel to monetize, so I never went through the process myself - but you DO have the correct amount of those things (you need 1000+ subscribers (check) and you need 4000 hours view time (i think you have that too). So, I did a search for you and found this video, it may help you get started: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXyxfqmHfteggpI ... Now, if you have trouble with this, just keep searching KZbin (in the search box) for whatever question you have. You will very likely find someone who made a video answering it (this goes for almost anything in LIFE, not just computer stuff, lol). Good luck. The more you search for your questions, the more you will find answers. KEEP MAKING VIDEOS!!! (((let me know if you still have trouble I will gladly help you as best I can - don't hesitate.)))

[@WeirdExplorer]

Its fairly simple. Just click go into "creator studio" on the left margin there will be a "my channel" tab, click that and then "monetization" and it will give you the option to enable monetization. Once you hit a threshold of $100 it gets deposited through an adsense account, which is also fairly easy to set up. Your channel hasn't been active for a while, but still would be producing a bit of revenue. If you start regularly creating content it will grow substantially. feel free to reach out if you need any help. I believe we're friends on fb.

[@Mr438IB]

@@WeirdExplorer Hah wow, two of the few KZbinrs I follow in one chat, small world, thank you both for the great content!

[@extropiantranshuman]

@@greendeane1 One word: Patreon

[@dan4398]

When I first moved down to FL from up north, my neighbor had ton of fruit trees and other edibles that would grow or fall into my yard. He said I could have whatever I wanted to pick and eat. He has one of these in the front and I noticed it looked and smelled like pepper, so of course I took some and dried it out and used it as “pepper” seasoning. When I asked him (Asian man, broken English) he just said it’s “pepper”. I used a lot of it, and have had no adverse side effects. I’ve also trimmed the tree multiple times from it growing into my driveway, with no irritation. I should also add that I grew up in the woods and was always around poison ivy, and never had a reaction to it before. Knowing what it actually is, I probably won’t be using it anymore in the kitchen but might keep using it as Christmas decor. Thanks for the video

[@michaelcurry6503]

I’m so happy you’re making videos again. Your videos have helped me learn so much about the useful plants here in Florida. You have taught me more about plants than any teacher or professor that I have had and you are by far one of my favorite youtubers.

[@DavidAtchison121]

I grew up in Miami eating mango every day. Thank goodness I'm not allergic because it's still my favorite fruit.

[@chadebushman]

Your back! I've missed your videos! Hope to see you soon!

[@jons7507]

Great to see you’re back! Really enjoy the videos and writings...can’t thank you enough...these videos were an early Christmas gift.

[@chickenboo2455]

Oh my gosh you are alive! Welcome back! So happy to start watching your videos again, your videos helped me through a tough time when I was younger and turned to foraging as a fun hobby.

[@AaronRankin]

Yay!! Hi Deane. I've learned so much from you over the years. Thank you, and great to see you again.

[@runlevelzer0]

I'm glad that you are back! Love your content, keep it up brother. Greetings from Jacksonville.

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Subscribed: This was the best explanation of this plant I have found. I get a "Poison Ivy Like" reaction from this plant. I found it growing within a large hedge on my property and after cutting it back I ended up with a terrible rash for weeks. I was in a quandary as to what to do with the peppercorns because this bush produces ALOT of them and they look good. Also I had no idea that this was in the same family as the Mango, that explains why sometimes I get a slight reaction in my mouth from them occasionally... EDIT: This is an excellent channel, I'm glad I found it. Thank you.

[@sueyoung2115]

Great video, thanks! As a northern transplant, (Maine to FL.) I find that I have boatloads of this plant in my yard. As many people are learning to forage and identify wild things, your presentations are gold!

[@Ashchu117]

Incredibly informative!! Lived in Florida my whole life and just learned that this tree existed. Thanks for the video Green Deane!!

[@FacetsOfTruth]

It is so wonderful to see you again. I have seriously missed you and the irreplaceable wit that only you can delight us with. Thank you so much for coming back into my world. I love you, my brother. Eat well. I know I will, (Thanks to you). I will seek out your next video, and will love it, No doubt!

[@scottm1981]

Glad you’re back! I live in central Florida and Just starting learning about foraging this year. Your videos have been a huge help!

[@GordiansKnotHere]

CFLA here too, I have this plant growing on my property and was trying to get a better understanding of it.

[@fishmanroly7450]

Another lesser known fact raccoons love to ingest Brazilian pepper in large quantities because it gets them high. Also because of that raccoons have been the transporters of Brazilian pepper and that's why they are found the long ditches everywhere in Florida sometimes you'll find raccoon poop which is made up of almost all Brazilian pepper seeds. Another fact McCormick has a pepper blend that includes Brazilian pepper it says it right on the ingredients I myself have Brazilian pepper growing wild and have dried it out and grounded up it taste similar to black pepper but not the same I experienced no ill effects from it also I cut the trees and get the sap on me all the time on the other hand if some people have really bad reactions to it just like mango so if you can't be around mango you can't be around Brazilian pepper. Great video very informative

[@malsprower]

Hey there Green Deane, This is Mallory. I am so glad I met you in person, you really changed my life. I am glad to see you are doing so well!! I am trying to grow Gotu Kola in my ponds and I'm planning on starting a native lotus pond and raise native fish for bait. I hope to see you again in the near future. It is enjoyable to grow native plants in my garden and be able to enjoy them in my recipes every day! That pepper is awesome on steak, they actually sell it at Walmart as a spice (says the genus and species on the bottle, look up McCormick Peppercorn Medley Grinder - and look at their ingredients list). My dad recently got an allergy from pistachios because he ate them too much. Were you able to get that root beer plant that I gave you going? They are awesome and so useful, good for using as a wrapper for fish fillets.

[@slamallama2385]

Dean! I'm so excited to see you back on KZbin. Please keep making videos!!!! I love your content.

[@BarbadosTaiji]

Nice one Green Dean! Thanks for sharing! Welcome to Barbados sometime!

[@boxermomma1918]

I love that I just found your videos. I know northern wild foods and learning from you about the Fl foods

[@enragedbutterfly]

I’m so happy to see your videos again! I took your class at Mead Gardens twice and often refer to your videos. I hope you’ll be making videos again and will monetize your channel. I let ads play for content creators I appreciate and I would let them all play for you. Thank you for all you’ve done! I moved to Middle TN and can’t find anyone like you here so your resources will be my guide here as well. You are appreciated.

[@brodaciousmax8025]

Finally a video that isn't just pepper tree bad. Thanks good job.

[@catherinehobbs9623]

Thank you for your teachings

[@agnosjr]

Excellent, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us. Cheers.

[@fergusnicoll]

This is great, glad you are back

[@daviddequasie6816]

The berries taste terrible, like turpentine, but as a beekeeper I can tell you that the honey is excellent. It is not spicy, it has an orange marmalade/butterscotch taste to it. One of my favorite honey varieties.

[@bradleykmdean]

Glad to see you back

[@Teshia]

I totally read that as: "You can't lick your relatives" D:

[@greendeane1]

Cousins can be an exception...

[@chompondeez]

Tes_ me to lol

[@williammay2332]

@@greendeane1 I can concur. I just won't give you a number.

[@Teshia]

[@greendeane1]

I thought it good to include them. Or, it was an opportunity to include them.

[@NikLyons]

We use the term "allergies" rather willy nilly when they basically indicate a weakened immune system. Many mainstream doctors prescribe antibiotics at the drop of a hat. Some people claim to be allergic to strawberries when their body is more likely reacting to the pesticides. I always was under the impression I was allergic to shellfish however when I was visiting Germany I ate shrimp with no ill affects. I thought I was cured spontaneously. Got back home and ate some shrimp and my lips and throut got itchy and uncomfortable. Side note.. Many products used in the US are banned in the EU..

[@thesagedwizard]

I just discovered this in my yard in Maryborough, Queensland Australia. After squeezing a berry I didn't have any adverse effects but after touching my finger to my top lip there was a light tingling for about 10 minutes. It's growing next to and under a large black tea tree so it's not massive. I'm going to remove it as we have enough invasive weeds here already and I don't need to add to that total!

[@TheDevine22]

I am so glad you started vid's again. Wish I lived closer so I could learn in person. You are a very entertaining gentleman.

[@tetekofa]

In Cuba they have a huge problem with the Marabou bush, extremely aggressive plant. Oh and good to see you again, thanks!

[@AhnkoCheeOutdoors]

They are a terribly invasive species here in Hawai'i though it is commonly called "Christmas Berry" here. There is an invasive bird species called the "Red Vented Bulbul" which eats the berries and spreads them every time they defecate. I had two large trees in my parent's yard that originated as bird poop. It took 2 full days, 2 chainsaws, and 4 people to get rid of these trees including several trips to the landfill. Fortunately I am not allergic to this plant as well as mango (LOVE mangoes). I am a wood turner, and have turned several pieces using this rather attractive wood with no ill effects. Mahalo nui for another informative video.

[@biancadesilets2285]

I love your sense of humor :)

[@zeros_knives_and_bushcraft.]

Happy to see new videos from you!

[@jazzrat2000]

What a wonderful tree this is for bonsai I wish I lived where it was native.

[@borat6363]

Welcome back Deane!

[@robkoss]

Glad to see you again!!!

[@colleenmcnally7400]

Thank you for this information

[@yvonneoliver4054]

You're the most trustworthy herbalist on KZbin!

[@Kayakwinds]

A fascinating video. I had never heard of a Brazilian Pepper before seeing your video. Thanks for a most informative discussion.

[@greendeane1]

Thanks... I was compelled to cover information about the species other videos fail to mention.

[@chrisstar8703]

I love this pepper Dried and ground on anything I used black peppercorns on! It’s healthy... right?!

[@MrSGL21]

oh wow! i didn't know you had a channel. i took two of your classes in CFL about 9 -10 years ago!!!

[@JungleJayAdventures]

Great Video! Stuff is everywhere!

[@calicombat]

Welcome back green dean!!!

[@rbm6184]

I think you covered about everything on it. I have some things to add. I have seen more than once when the American Robins migrate down to Florida how they eat the pepper corns and get high off them. Yes American Robin junkies. They just go crazy flying around the Brazilian Pepper tree. I would not have believed it had I not seen it. I don't intentionally get around the tree that much and have shown no allergies to it yet but I have a wood archery bow stave of it that I am still working on. The wood (tropical and typically labeled as a softwood) is still promising for an archery bow but if it will work as one remains to be seen. The wood has not worked for me when I have tried it for friction fire. Thanks for sharing.

[@DavidAtchison121]

Something that I noticed is while the trees I mostly saw everywhere going up in Miami were on the smaller side. Here in San Diego the trees get huge.

[@kasandrayabelyusua8942]

Interesante saber cada día algo nuevo en tu vida te Enriquece. Gracias por este video me encanta.

[@jgrun8108]

Awesome to see new videos I have to cut this Brazilian pepper down all the time I’ll have to try some berries I tend not to be allergic to its relative

[@tomclark5546]

YAY DEANE!!!

[@blaiseduggins2116]

Wow it’s been awhile. Glad your ok. Big fan.

[@Alex-em1ym]

Hi there,I just bumped into this video and I am glad I did. I have a question: I have a BIG ,possibly Brazilian Pepper Tree in my lot but it doesn’t make red fruit ,it just blooms with yellow little dots looking like pollen to me,but they definitely smell pepperish... so,is this a Brazilian Pepper too? (Leaves and tree are identical to the traditional one)

[@extropiantranshuman]

I have this in my backyard. I actually take the unripe, green seeds and chew on them for the juice and spit out the rest, as they have a powder when juiced in a juicer due to the seed. That might be what gets people ill a little, so I avoid it. I personally like the 'medicinal' taste, which really I would call a foresty taste mixed with citrus. It's like forest and summer in one - not bad!

[@angelahowat7899]

I have noticed in West Palm Beach are removing passion Vines and Syrium cherries I think I spelled it right. Because they're not native and invasive but leave the Brazilian peppers.

[@davidgrischuk5454]

Green, you and your channel are looking very well. Thanks for the great videos. I live in california so I have had a hard time deciphering which videos will provide a good chance to forage here. Any recommendations for the folks on the other coast?

[@chezmoi42]

If you go to his website, he has recommendations of other foragers around the US who could be more helpful to you. You could also join his forum.

[@davidgrischuk5454]

@@chezmoi42 Oh thanks a lot I will look into that.

[@ralphsteven6565]

Hey Deane! I did just recently confirm a "Frontier" Spice company's Pink Peppercorn product as indeed, Brazilian pepper and not the Peruvian one, S. molle... so it seems to be totally messed up! Thanks for the great video, talk soon

[@MatthewStauffer]

Woohoo! Another video!!!

[@projectmalus]

Being Christmas time, I'm surprised you didn't cover mistletoe. After all it's native to Florida isn't it? :) Welcome back! That box set would make a good Xmas present.

[@greendeane1]

Hmmmm... it's more a medicinal than an edible... but I have seen an herbalism teacher eat a leaf and a berry.

[@TheGaddings]

"the government does not always know best".....wise words

[@ChauNguyen-wi5pe]

Welcome back we miss you

[@valuepurposemission7517]

love all things spicy , love black and white pepper. even make a pepper corn and habanero hot sauce for my steak. i dont think ive ever eaten brazilian peppers tho. did learn something new about poison ivy, so that was awesome thanks :)

[@josephfitch1]

I bought a small lot..on a 20 acre island..in Crystal River , Fl....Its on the Salt River...this tree is all over the Island...I cut a path about 8 ft wide 100 ft long, using a small chain saw ,, loppers,...headge trimmers and a sawzall took over 8 hrs total...Its so thick by the water...all tangled togather..its like a puzzle..which tool to use and where to cut.. but it is a soft wood and cuts easy.. no thorns thank goodness...it will grow back when cut to the ground im experimenting on ways to kill the roots... wish i knew how to post a few pics..it looks nice hanging out over the water..red berries all over it..only 300 ft to go...Peace to all

[@redskool8498]

thanks deane ... have a good x-mas .. †

[@claradelune]

HELLO!! :) thank you so much for the video! If you or anyone could help me with this, I’ve been trying to find out if piper nigrum (culinary pepper) can be grown in Florida? I have one potted, and am wondering if it would be bad to put it outside in my garden?

[@americanrebel413]

Hello green Dean! I've been following you now for several years and it's been a pleasure! I saw a special on Brazilian peppers a year or so ago in Miami especially in the area of the Everglades, They were trying to eradicate them and were as you said bulldozing them, I haven't seen anything after that, when I lived in marathon that's the Florida keys if somebody doesn't know, I was very familiar with them but not as familiar as to know I could eat the berries, I only heard about that later on, Never had any reaction from the plant whatsoever, I now live in Northeast Florida, and I wish I had some because I would love to have the berries as a spice! Will they live in North Florida? Just curious. Thank you this was a great presentation.

[@bryanreeme8584]

Pretty sure it's against the law to plant in Florida, but it's definitely a bad idea to do so

[@eurekaelephant2714]

Thankyou. Went for a walk yesterday and picked some ripe berries, and was wondering if they were edible. Im in Australia.

[@sherriconklin3637]

Yes I've seen these I.live in Punta Gorda

[@brokencage9723]

I grew up in southwest Florida and pepper stands made great forts. lots of stinging ants in the trees tho. I would never have thought of eating them. the robins would get drunk off them tho.

[@williammay2332]

You were right about saying the berries are about the size of BBs. It was a lot easier to go out to the hedge and get a supply of shot instead of spending what cash these Red Ryders had. You forgot to mention the winter activity of watching the migrating robins eating the fermented-on-the-bush berries and then ending up with their displays of drunkenness. The St. Pete paper would have a mention every year or two about the phenomenon.

[@mealbla7097]

Yea!

[@mealbla7097]

Can u talk about the japaneese knotweed!

[@zuditaka]

Is that a chromakey "green screen" background? The forest looks very nice. Here in Australia Schinus molle grows all over the place.

[@greendeane1]

No, it is a printed screen.

[@smellycat249]

guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back, ooo ööö ooo. lol

[@chadrose9895]

I am a passionate invasive plant removal specialist. Brazilian pepper is our most prolific terrestrial invasive species. I love removing them.

[@HealthyConstruction]

All I can say is that Brazilian Pepper honey is the BEST honey in the world ! Absolutely priceless !

[@9jmorrison]

"Dr. Stone" explains it all.

[@426superbee4]

Oh Man i dearly love Pistachios

[@likatz21]

Pepper tree berries taste gooders in tea.....I use the berries and or leaves almost every day.

[@raphlvlogs271]

Your back. where have you been.

[@ImAManMann]

I've eaten a raw cashew along with the fruit. The fruit was very astringent and the nut was just ok. I didn't experience any rash or burning. I also don't get poison ivy rashes either...so... maybe it is just me.

[@dirtisbetterthandiamonds]

I purchased some local Brazilian Pepper honey in Citrus county. I have my doubts about it's strange color. Wondering if it can also cause allergic reactions for some. I'm not on the same page of those who seem to call everything "invasive". We have a few Chinese Tallow trees. They are so beautiful and guess what? There have been NO baby trees come up. The oldest tree is more than 20 yrs old. The seeds do fall around everywhere, but they seem to rot with rain and not grow. (BTW, GD you should know you actually look younger these days 👍)

[@DavidAtchison121]

I do like care for Brazilian pepper.

[@SimpleHillbilly]

Interesting

[@1fanger]

Hey Deane. Merry Christ-mas! Here in PA, BB`s are not 3/8", which is almost #4 buckshot! . It would be loser to 3/16".

[@greendeane1]

You are absolutely right. I meant to say 3/16s... even considered the mm size. 0.187.. oh well...

[@47retta]

Can the honey cause allergic reactions?

[@greendeane1]

Good question. I don't know. But I have emailed some honey producers and asked them that question.

[@lindafoster8182]

I have a huge plant in my backyard of this. I’m very allergic to poison ivy so if they’re related I’m guessing I should never go near that plant. I live in Punta Gorda so I’m guessing this is a relative of the original

[@greendeane1]

And if you have it removed have someone else do it.

[@cjsh2441]

Deane just walked in again... can anyone explain this to me? Is this Green Deane a root cutting of the original Deane?

[@greendeane1]

A root cutting? No, an old stump...

[@cjsh2441]

@@greendeane1 lol

[@workingguy6666]

8:57 - the 'commercial pink peppercorns' that I just bought are Schinus terebinthifolius. You state that this shouldn't be the case, but then give this name at 9:17. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DKTCXR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@sherriconklin3637]

Oh never seen the cashews

[@lescouch963]

I battle this plant constantly here in Punta Gorda. I hate this plant with a passion.

[@fy74]

This guy reminds me of mitch hedburg

[@royceroller7095]

Government doesn't know best..?🙊

[@1mulekicker]

Is there another way to destroy one other than a bulldozer?

[@greendeane1]

If you find an answer to that question the state of Florida would be grateful...

[@Mannard74]

Cmon Florida... make Kratom an invasive species and stop using pain pills!

[@Flashblade]

So its not edible? Lol

[@earthwalkers.institute]

Fruit is closer to 3/16" not 3/8".

[@greendeane1]

Yeah that was one of those slips of the tongue.

[@Jesses001]

I had the opposite experience with poison ivy, oak, and other such plants. I was VERY allergic as a child. I could literally get a bad rash from being within 20 feet of the plants. I have scars on my legs from horrible rash outbreaks. My mother decided to try an old remedy where you get the oil extract from the plant and put it in an oil to ingest in order to gain resistance. Sounds very homeopathic to me, though without the delusion of the solution. I am highly doubtful this is a safe practice, but I do have to admit I gained resistance and now 25 years later, contact will cause a very minor rash at worse.

[@greendeane1]

It's a controversial topic.

[@Jesses001]

@@greendeane1 Well I do not think homeopathic medicine is a controversial topic at all. That is rather clearly not how reality works. Such a treatment however...I am still torn on it. I mean did it work in my case, or did I happen to gain resistance naturally at that particular time? Is it safe to drink that stuff? Has anyone ever been injured by it? I feel there are too many questions I have not been able to find answers too to recommend such treatment even if it seems to have worked for me. Anyway, now my mind is off down the rabbit hole, ha. Thanks for your reply.