22.04.2026. Wild ‘Ndongo bel’ pepper is a delicate and aromatic spice that enhances dishes without overpowering them. With its warm, subtly smoky character and moderate pungency, it offers a refined alternative to stronger pepper varieties while delivering remarkable depth of flavour.
This rare pepper belongs to the Piper guineense family, a climbing plant found across parts of West and Central Africa. The variety presented here originates from the North of the Republic of Congo, where dense tropical forests provide the ideal environment for itto grow naturally.
Visually, the berries are small, rounded grains with a slender tail. Locally, the spice is sometimes known as Ndongo Bel, meaning “black pepper” in Lingala.
What makes this pepper particularly special is the way it is produced. Unlike plantation peppers, it grows entirely wild in the forest canopy, with vines climbing high into surrounding trees. The berries are hand-picked directly from the trees by Indigenous communities , drawing on traditional forest knowledge passed down through generations.
A local NGO supports the villages involved in harvesting, providing financial assistance and helping organise the trade of this forest product. Sales from the pepper contribute directly to social initiatives that support single mothers, including training programmes and capacity-building projects designed to strengthen economic independence within the community.
In this way, this naturally grown pepper does more than add flavour to cuisine — it supports livelihoods and local development while celebrating forest resources.
In culinary terms, wild Ndongo bel pepper offers aromatic spice with gentle heat and resinous notes reminiscent of myrrh. Its relatively low piperine content produces a pepper that is fragrant rather than aggressively hot, leaving a pleasant and lingering finish on the palate.
Highly versatile in the kitchen, it can be used whole, crushed, or freshly ground. It withstands cooking well and is excellent in stews, sauces, soups and broths. At the same time, its subtle smokiness elevates lighter dishes such as beef or salmon carpaccio. For more adventurous cooking, a small pinch can even bring an unexpected aromatic twist to fruit desserts or jams.
To preserve its delicate aroma, the pepper should be stored in an airtight container away from light and humidity.
Wild Likouala pepper is therefore more than a culinary ingredient. It is a forest-grown spice that connects gastronomy, Indigenous knowledge and community development — truly a pepper that spices up both food and livelihoods.
About Interholco
The valorisation of a natural forest of 1.16 million hectares in the Republic of Congo Brazzaville is our DNA here at INTERHOLCO. As an FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®, FSC® C022952) and PEFC and PAFC certified producer, INTERHOLCO is a well-established player in the trade of its edged boules, sawn timber, glue laminated scantlings, decking boards and more.
We are a leading provider of high-quality wood products ‘Made in Africa’ holding a verified environmental and health performance statement (FDES requirement in France). Our teams carefully manage the supply chain from forest to customer. Our story is fully illustrated by enabling the people living in Ngombe to access better life conditions. We make it possible to design and build a healthy living environment with bio-based, eco-friendly materials, one of the real solutions for the planet and climate. Follow us on LinkedIn
Communication contact Interholco
Tullia Baldassarri Höger von Högersthal
INTERHOLCO AG, Neuhofstr. 25, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)41 767 03 82
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
