Why Kampot White Pepper Is So Expensive | So Expensive Food | Insider Business

Kampot pepper, grown in Cambodia, is so expensive because it’s considered the Champagne of pepper. In 2016, the European Union awarded pepper grown in this region a protected geographical indication. The taste of Kampot peppercorns is described as fresh, citrusy, fruity, and pungent. But these peppercorns don’t come cheap. Wholesale Kampot black pepper costs $15 per kilogram and white pepper costs $28 per kilogram. Online, it can cost over $100 per kilogram. Over 400 farmers grow this pepper, but climate change and competition from large farms could make it harder to earn a profit.
Chapters
Intro 0:00
Protected Geographical Indication 1:19
Farming Kampot pepper 1:42
Tasting the pepper 2:51
Cooking with Kampot pepper 3:34
Losing half of the harvest 5:26
Sorting and processing pepper 7:37
La Plantation’s pepper farm 9:51
How price and production have changed 12:13
Continuing to farm despite challenges 14:00
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Why Kampot Pepper Is So Expensive | So Expensive Food | Insider Business

[@user-st7qt2jg4f]

As a Cambodian, I am feeling so proud and cool to watch this video. The video is simply well produced. It’s my old dream to visit pepper farms in Kampot for myself. ❤

[@channimolteng9575]

Thank Insider Business for this exposure, I’m so proud to see this video. Kampot pepper finally get global exposure it deserves 👏🏻

[@unknown-fs3hj]

That man has a particular vibe that just idk just seems so kind maybe his smile or what idk

[@TheOneCleanHippy]

When I was in Kampot in 2019, I went to La Plantation's pepper farm. It was pretty cool, the tour they give is very informal and intimate. And at the end you get a pepper tasting similar to how wine tastings are done. It was a cute little diversion. The road I motorcycled to get there though was the dustiest I've ever been on and I had to throw away my T-shirt because it never came clean after that.

[@yosoyyoberdi]

If anyone else reads this and somehow ends up visiting the area. Please go to any of the smaller family-run pepper farms instead. They will show you around, let you taste pepper straight from the plant and you can buy at fairer prices. You will also be making a huge impact in local families. Agree with the dusty part. Ended up throwing my tshirt away as well. 😅

[@mahasiswa47]

As a Cambodia, I am proud to see this video 🇰🇭

[@dorm9562]

I know many from your country! Love from Russia

[@iexist9966]

*Cambodian Ik English is stupid

[@sinsin6081]

Same

[@lyhuychhay6022]

​@@iexist9966you can also call us Khmer it's the same thing

[@Just_a_CPM_guy]

Good for you

[@loreee2001]

Thank for making this documentary video about my country!🙏 My dad is from Kampot, near the sea area, so the best dish is Stir Fry Crab with Kampot Peppercorns.

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

the guy's whole farm only makes 2000-8000$ per year selling the pepper? damn, you had me thinking for a while at the beginning there that for once, the people featured in a "so expensive" video actually made good money! :(

[@beebovan]

That is a lot of money in Cambodia. The cost of living is very low, $1 USD is about 4000 Riel KHR.

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

@@beebovan no, that is not a lot of money. the video showed something like 6 people working. besides other operating costs, that money probably needs to pay the equivalent of 3 or more full time wages. if the sale volume for a year only is $2000, then, not even considering taxes, that makes a monthly individual wage for 3 people of $56. minus taxes and other farm operating costs, it would probably be more like $30. that would meet the common international definition for absolute poverty. I know cambodia is a particularly cheap country to live in, but that's not enough anywhere.

[@kit_kat5999]

​​@@beebovan 4000 riel is not a lot of money in Cambodia. They use USD as well and 4000 riel is literally equivalent to $1. You can buy a meal for that much, but these days Inflation is crazy, but the wages are still too low.

[@beebovan]

@@kit_kat5999 It is not in a daily perspective, but if you take in account for the cost of living. $1 is relatively a lot of money in exchange for 4000 Riel. For example, you can get a bottle of water for that much in America somewhere, but in Cambodia you can get a bottle of water and something else I even saw 3 bags of fruit for around 3000 Riel, but your right inflation may have changed everything.

[@twinflowerfioretta]

Pepper is one of my must have ingredients, i can use it even in desserts, the green fresh pepper is my fav. in Thai food, i had yesterday, so healthy and delish ! Thank you IB for this post, so precious and interesting 👍🍀

[@halykann]

Really happy to see this documentary video from Cambodia being on the international documentary channel. I do hope to see more videos from Cambodia. Bravo

[@chemvuthsovin]

❤❤❤ Big fan of Kampot Peppers here. It’s literally the best I’ve had! I bought dried red Kampot peppers about $60 a kilogram directly from the farm

[@wasa6692]

I really appreciate as a khmer citizen that you share our most valuable product to the world. Thank @InsiderBusiness🇰🇭😍🙏

[@user-dm7cv7ku8r]

I want to talk to you, I am from Egypt

[@ErikLean]

Growing up in Cambodia, this was always a special ingredient in our food. I miss eating them here in the States

[@Narrowcros]

Wish i could try it, bravo to Cambodia

[@raisin8051]

The greatest way to learn about climate change is watching a Business Insider. Damn near every farmer mentioned is struggling because of climate related issues, issues that their forefathers would never have expected

[@vinicius464able]

there you are wrong, farmers main enemys were and will always be insects and the weather, that if we ignore taxes, and due to that it is kinda risk on there part and it is because of this risk that farmes ask the goverment for privileges.

[@ross-carlson]

@@vinicius464able Well done missing the point - yes, insects are currently and have been a problem but climate change is making everything worse - and it is CHANGING. That's the point, prior generations had to deal with weather but not the constant, rapid climate change that we're experiencing now. Or let me guess, it's just a hoax, right? Ugh.

[@LibiTM]

@@vinicius464able Guess why insects and the weather are becoming much of a bigger problem now lmao

[@raisin8051]

@@vinicius464able Wheat, almonds, cherries, peaches, rice and coffee etc are affected by climate change and will continue to be Insects definitely don't help either, there were a few episodes where Insects where the driving cause behind lower crop yields and outright destruction I was saying that farmers have been getting less harvest due to not enough rain, too much rain, warmer temperatures or shorter daytime warming cycles. Wasn't picking on the bugs and how destructive they are

[@victorpapillon1487]

You are menatlly unwell, humans don't affect climate at all, we did not cause the ice age or the cycles, it used to be global warming, but its actually getting colder so now its called climate change, please give up your car and food to save the "climate" and leave the best of us aline, if you buy a rope and tie the noose you can get your carbon footprint to Zero, so go ahead

[@mandayashraf6580]

This farmer is so joyous and excited

[@vunieth]

Thank you Business Insider for showcasing our Kampot Peppers. We’re hoping to see more of your videos about Khmer’s GI and other products. 🇰🇭 ❤

[@TheSnuffy1994]

I LOVE everything pepper so I found some of this online and bought the red white and black right away!!

[@faithvanhope6214]

That man has such an amazing attitude!

[@kouydavid5315]

Thank Insider for making this documentary. Cambodia has many more to offer please make more about us.

[@jasminetsp]

Awesome content from Cambodia! ❤️💙🇰🇭

[@Cold_Root]

Thank you very much for documenting our lovely Country. Cambodia.

[@VidzMisc]

I love this pepper on melon and fruit salads. It’s so good

[@mouysimlychris7276]

Cambodia. So amazing to see this video thanks director

[@pichsovathyaroth7086]

Thank for this content. I’m from Cambodia 🇰🇭

[@nolimitpoker]

I was just in Cambodia got to go to some pepper farms. The pepper fresh off the vines are so tasty.

[@internet_internet]

I like this man. Humble.

[@alfblack2]

dang. I have heard of kampot but never really knew its pedigree. As a fan of pepper. I have to get these somehow.

[@ranydy9176]

Thanks for sharing

[@MaggieYckang]

Best pepper in the world. The aroma and taste... Oh my God.

[@Syzygyzzz]

We bought Kampot pepper in Cambodia. Truly beautiful pepper! ❤

[@countrylife1626]

Proud of my hometown.

[@victoryfirst2878]

Excellent video presented !!!😀😀😀😀😀

[@bc2238]

How can we help these farmers, this really put into perspective how some people work so hard and get so little. :(

[@michaelphilip1]

If the higher profit is online then somebody just have to teach them how to use the internet and sell it there.

[@SokhenIn]

only in Europe which the small farms can't access.

[@DannyHarper-ml5qw]

Ya so I could buy it

[@Alexlfm]

You’re missing a huge part of the equation and the root problem: transportation. Not all of the world has universal access to reasonably priced currier services almost everywhere like we do in the developed world. Though it may be possible to process and package, logistics at the farm locations are often almost nonexistent, essentially requiring a middleman in a large city with the infrastructure. The problem is far more complicated than they can’t use the internet. Co-Ops of multiple farmers with dedicated curriers is really the only viable alternative that works.

[@Tonyhouse1168]

And, whether you cultivated the pepper or not, shipping it requires paying taxes and tariffs. If the government of your country finds out you’re making money and not giving them some, the penalties range between fines to jail to death.

[@michaelphilip1]

@@Tonyhouse1168 who said anything about not paying?

[@satyameas]

Thank for vid❤

[@channannou3211]

Best video and I am proud of Cambodian agri

[@medardbitangimana4580]

I love these videos ❤️❤️

[@striker7469]

Very pretty farm. 😀😀

[@Bongleang963]

Welcome to visiting Cambodia 🇰🇭

[@AdhinathK]

Welcome to god's own country, birth place of pepper

[@777akainu9]

great story

[@ongsengfook]

I always buy Kampot red pepper. I go to Phnom Penh often for the last 12 years.

[@throow]

The small farmer should really be able to brand their products. I'm sure they would be able to sell it at a higher price.

[@Dayvit78]

They have the brand: Kampot. It's not enough. Tgey still make pennies for the amount of hard work thry do. At least it's their own land so they don't have to pay some landlord.

[@icydevil_9006]

I remember having some Khmer noodles with these inside, unknowingly, I bit into one and let me tell you it is like 100 times stronger than a normal pepper. I’ve been put off Khmer noodles for the time being. (I’m Cambodian)

[@erawanpencil]

I thought you're just supposed to chew the ones in green rows then spit out?

[@redbarchetta8782]

So cool. 😎

[@hsm-rabbitexpress9140]

Welcome 🙏 to Kampot province Cambodia 🇰🇭

[@sotpisal926]

Welcome to Cambodia 🇰🇭❤😘

[@Nyka1993]

It's expensive but not so expansive. It's taste deep and strong peppery taste . I like compote pepper ❤

[@sevengersprodk]

Amazing

[@itsawinnerfereal]

christ, that prawn with the pepper corn dish that chef made looks delicious. mouth water

[@nerd26373]

Those Kampot peppercorns sure are one of a kind. Seems like they're special in some way. The harvesters certainly work hard to make a living.

[@silveritea]

I had never heard of Kampot pepper - I think I will order some to try….

[@nathanlam9884]

We got same growing in Australia

[@MonaLisaFire]

14:45 We never lacked for anything important 💪🏽. I like that

[@lukmanhakimdaily6162]

I believe it's almost have the same taste with sarawak black/white pepper in Borneo island

[@pobladofranciscopaz271]

So he lost half of his product and will have half of the money while big corp gets more money due to lack of product and demand?

[@ajaynaik2980]

Really Happy to see kamport pepper,I'm in into organic spices business from South India🙏

[@PokeJoshUnboxings]

I would definitely buy seeds to plant in my backyard if I could find some.

[@BirdofParadise86]

Great Cambodia👍

[@Sothea.office]

Wow 🎉🎉

[@ballistic350]

Taste good raw... mark weins agree...

[@nachurecooking]

God bless these farmer families, hope they make more profit to pay the bills and live a better life

[@thatcantbeso]

Not the white colonizer lady 😭

[@numenorr]

This is the problem everywhere in most Asian countries where the actual farmers get the least portion of income from their produce and continue to live in poverty.

[@EP-qi8ed]

Instead of selling excess pepper stock at a loss, why don't they find a way to store it long-term, such as a by vacuum sealing it into mylar bags? If they did this, they could store it like fine wine and then sell stock from previous years with ease to epicureans who desire it. Gourmet white pepper from 2019, anyone?

[@SteelCurious]

The plantation how fitting

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

where the farmers go to work for the white woman once she elbows their own small farms out of the market 🤢

[@Katzbynite]

The largest farm ran by who? yep typical POS Eurotrash! She is the reason why local farmers are not making a lot of money but then says there is no shortage, ish please! Notice how they take what poor people have and exploit it like the product is unique. Its not to the local ppl, its just Eurotrash like to steal and make shyt expensive.

[@wavnino1]

Voun > The Plantation finessing the natives .

[@akhilchalil1585]

Growing up in a pepper farm from India, can guarantee one thing, that person don't spray pesticides.

[@brb__bathroom]

I was this years old when I learned that there are other sorts of pepper than black

[@Derekzparty]

I thought the whole point of the spicy in pepper was to stop pests from eating it

[@BJCMXY]

That's certainly true for Capsicum peppers, but spicy doesn't mean it's immune to pests. Capsaicin is mainly good for deterring fungal issues during the sometimes long periods of time the seeds need to remain dormant. However, like many other living species, caffeine, nicotine, and other compounds that humans have found a use for. Or how there are rodents immune to the neurotoxin produced by some species of snake... The arms race isn't entirely balanced or successful. 💁🏼‍♂️

[@retagardenia9767]

Wish you can give exposure for andaliman pepper native from indonesia, north sumatra.

[@kathrynweyer86]

There are flowers that act as natural pesticides when planted besides crops

[@SyntaxWyntax]

living off 2000-8000 dollars must be rough damn

[@5fmuke535]

It's sad how little money the family gets. White Peppercorns are the best kept culinary and health secret.

[@vijaykrishnan7797]

4:16 😂

[@Itsthatnineduece]

That’s crazy his last name is “Voun”. That’s like the only person that has the same last name as mines out side of America. It would be even crazier if we’re related..

[@meontunchhuon223]

My province

[@Torukhmaktou]

Where can one get it ?

[@farmchannel1231]

🥰🥰🥰

[@Sal-737]

These food grains is different in my opinion how is tasty 😋

[@wavnino1]

Voun > The plantation if you were to support, support the natives, Voun's family. The ones that are from that land, not the colonizer. Its ironic that the lady named her business that, not even trying to hide it lol smh.

[@Harith21AL]

In Indonesia we call it Merica

[@dr.lyhokleangmd645]

❤❤❤

[@Sahilgill5]

In 2018 I bought very good quality pepper for 10 usd a kilo

[@smartbaba1321]

In India we also that that type of pepper here.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Is this a different black pepper cultivar or it's the just the process that make it different?

[@Syzygyzzz]

I believe it's the uniqueness of the pepper plant.

[@SoSo-hb1my]

Kampot pepper is the best

[@jumahir1669]

Merica right?

[@maizabdulla9291]

Don't let outsiders steal your resources

[@wavnino1]

truth!

[@hmwaklove]

I just ordered some on Amazon- 40g for $10

[@Uch_Sreymom]

Wow surprise

[@RoseNZieg]

is there any natural predators for pepper pests there?

[@reid566]

Kinda crazy there is a French plantation owner being featured

[@rojanetouk]

It not owned by French all Cambodia farmer they planted a lot too

[@Queltamas]

Ladybirds, or ladybugs are natural pesticides. They should use them.

[@joshuacalderon1837]

so the pepper my aunt gifted to us where this expensive... and I still can`t taste the difference.

[@jagatdeuri3261]

We grow pepper in own house (northeast India) like 8 or 10 plants. If the harvest is good, we can have paper for whole year and can aslo distribute to many relatives.

[@achenlu3584]

In Indonesia the price of Muntok white pepper is between $ 14 - $ 15 per kilogram🥺

[@poopoppy6964]

Buset ada orang Bangka juga.

[@scottpitner4298]

Pepper is the best

[@kheankimhong]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😊🎉🎉

[@ArjayMartin]

dry the pepper water from boiling... as a new product of powdered pepper (call it something, 'Arjay' would be a cool name, if it hadn't been done before...

[@abdullahsheikh1846]

I think thay don't have full crop thats why price is high for kampu pepper

[@slayerbllade]

couldnt they just wrap each pepper stalk with a plastic covering? Like how we do for mangoes. All natural, no need for pesticides

[@homemadevideoszen5726]

But in India(assam) it cost only 1 dollar pr kg