What Is Water Pepper?
Water pepper (Persicaria hydropiper, formerly Polygonum hydropiper) is a wild annual herb of the knotweed family. It grows in wet places across Europe, Asia and North America: along ditches, ponds, riverbanks and damp fields. It is also known as marshpepper knotweed or smartweed.
The plant has reddish stems, narrow, lance-shaped leaves and slender, nodding spikes of tiny greenish-pink flowers. Its name comes from its taste. A fresh leaf is sharply peppery and hot, and some of that bite remains in the dried herb.
In Japan a cultivated form of the plant, called tade, is a traditional garnish. Its leaves are served with grilled sweetfish and blended into tadezu, a green pepper vinegar. In Europe water pepper was once used as a wild pepper substitute, and it has a long history in the folk herbal traditions of Eastern Europe.
Today the dried herb is used in small amounts as a spicy seasoning for soups, sauces and marinades, and in herbal infusions by herbalists who work with traditional European plants. Because of its pungency, a little goes a long way.
Our water pepper herb contains only the dried herb with nothing added. It is sold by weight, from small packs to bulk.
How to Use Water Pepper Herb
- Seasoning: Crush a pinch of the dried herb and add it to soups, stews, sauces or marinades near the end of cooking for a peppery note.
- Pepper vinegar: Steep a teaspoon of the dried herb in a cup of rice vinegar for a few days, then strain, to make a simple version of tadezu.
- Herbal infusion: Use 1/2 teaspoon (about 1 g) per cup (8 fl oz / 250 ml) of hot water and steep for 5 minutes. Start small, as the taste is sharp.
Safety
Water pepper is pungent and can irritate the mouth and skin in large amounts. Use only small amounts. Do not use during pregnancy or while nursing. If you take medication or have a medical condition, consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. Keep out of reach of children.
Read our full guide: Water pepper herb: infusion and kitchen guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is water pepper?
Water pepper, Persicaria hydropiper, is a wild herb of the knotweed family that grows in wet places. Its leaves have a sharp, peppery taste.
Is water pepper related to black pepper?
No. Black pepper is Piper nigrum, a tropical vine. Water pepper only shares the peppery taste.
What is water pepper used for in cooking?
In Japan it is used as a garnish and to make tadezu, a pepper vinegar. Dried, it can be added in small amounts to soups, sauces and marinades.
Is the dried herb very spicy?
It is noticeably peppery, but milder than the fresh leaf. Start with a pinch.
How should I store water pepper?
Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place.
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