Why don't we pay as much attention to the quality of pepper as salt and oil?
Pep's pepper is complex, gloriously aromatic and earthy. It has also caught the attention of some restaurants: Melbourne's Embla, Hope St Radio and Residence at the Potter Museum, and Continental Deli Bar Bistro in Sydney. Chefs Danielle Alvarez, Rosheen Kaul, Raph Rashid, Mitch Orr and Analiese Gregory are also fans.
Pep, which is sold from a number of Aussie specialty grocer s around the country, comes in a grinder and refill packs. Pep also just launched a fragrance called Pepfume, made with black pepper oil. What does it smell like? It's got hints of pepper, of course.
Some other interesting peppers to buy
Global pepper
Aussie spice pioneer Herbie's Spices sells a number of peppers, including two centre-long pepper spikes from Indonesia, super grade white peppercorns harvested in India and, for the connoisseur, the impressive Pepperer's Guild Spice Kit, featuring 12 varieties, for $125.
Australian-grown pepper
Donna Campagnolo is behind L & L Pepperfarms. Based in Silkwood, in tropical North Queensland, she hand-tends, harvests and sun-dries her robust pepper. Aussie Pepper sells Campagnolo's pepper, too.
Wild native mountain pepper
The sweet profile of Tasmanian mountain pepper is an alternative to black pepper. It's also much punchier and presents a herbal profile. Tasmanian Pepper Co has 3500 native trees. It sells peppercorns and leaf and sells them ground, including the leaf, and mixed with salt.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
MICHELLE GRATTAN: Consensus goal may elude
One observer describes next week's economic roundtable this way: 'Chalmers has opened a can of worms — and everybody has got a worm'. Even those close to the roundtable are feeling overwhelmed by the extent of the worm farm. There are many hundreds of submissions, five Productivity Commission reports, Treasury background papers, and stakeholders in the media spruiking their opinions ahead of the event. Business, unions and the welfare sector have largely settled into their predictable wish lists. In areas such as the housing crisis, it's actually not difficult to say what should be done — you hardly need this meeting to tell you. It just seems near impossible to get the relevant players (whether they be States, local councils, the construction industry) to do it, or be able to do it. On issues of deregulation generally, when it comes to specifics, a lot is contested. As the ACTU's Sally McManus says, 'one person's regulations are another person's rights'. As much as Treasurer Jim Chalmers might like to project the sunny side of Australia's situation, independent economist Chris Richardson (who will be at the summit's day three tax session) puts it more bluntly. 'We have a problem: the average Australian saw their living standards rise by just 1.5 per cent over the past decade,' he posted on X. 'That's embarrassingly shy of the 22 per cent lift in living standards enjoyed across the rich world as a whole, and way below what Australians achieved in times past. 'You'd have hoped that both sides would have talked about tackling that challenge at the last election, but they didn't.' Richardson is hoping the roundtable can achieve 'enough consensus to change some things', which the Government can use as a springboard. But he's worried the meeting could underperform, given its 'lead-up hasn't seen much consensus', Economist Richard Holden from UNSW says to be successful, the roundtable needs to get 'broad agreement on some version of the ' Abundance agenda' (a reference to a currently fashionable book focusing on loosening regulatory blocks) – especially as it applies to housing. 'In addition, to be successful would require that big issues like federation and tax reform are referred to Treasury for serious consideration and to present the Government with options by year's end.' There are two approaches for a government that wants to promote economic reform. It can, as then treasurer Paul Keating did at the 1985 tax summit, put up a model and see how much it can make fly. Or it can, as Chalmers is doing, ask a wide range of participants for their ideas, and then decide how much of what emerges to pursue — in terms of what has wide support and what fits the Government's agenda. The closer we get to the meeting, the harder it becomes to anticipate its likely import (or lack of). Signposts are there, but they could be false signals, or ignored later. Despite all the talk about tax, the Government — specifically the Prime Minister — has flagged it doesn't have the stomach for radical reform. Certainly not this term. Anthony Albanese said last week, 'The only tax policy that we're implementing is the one that we took to the election'. This doesn't rule out new initiatives this term — the phrasing is carefully in the present tense — but from what we know of the PM's approach they would likely be limited rather than sweeping. Independent economist Saul Eslake said that a few weeks ago he was optimistic the summit would give Chalmers the licence to spend some of the vast political capital the election yielded. 'But the Prime Minister has made it clear he is not getting that licence. The Government is not prepared to venture much beyond its limited mandate from the election. 'The best that can be hoped for is a willingness to have an adult conversation with the electorate between now and the next election with a view to seeking a bold mandate in 2028,' Eslake says. Predictably, the roundtable is putting the spotlight on the Albanese-Chalmers relationship. This can be summed up in a couple of ways. The PM is more cautious when it comes to economic reform, the Treasurer is more ambitious. In political terms, it's that 'old bull, young bull' syndrome. The different styles are clear. The 'old bull' is blunt, sounding a touch impatient, for example, when he's asked about tax. The 'young bull' is publicly deferential to his leader. One of the most potentially significant discussions at the roundtable will be around AI. Unlike many well-worn issues, this is a relatively new, and quickly changing, area of policy debate. There are varying views within Government about whether firm or light guardrails are needed and whether they should be in a separate new act or just via changes to existing laws. Chalmers is in favour of light-touch regulation. The unions are not on the same page as Chalmers' regulatory preference, and they want a say for workers. The unions were the winners from the 2022 jobs and skills summit — the Government delivered to them in spades at the meeting, and later. It's not clear they are in as strong a position this time. Their big claim for the roundtable — a four-day working week — has already been dismissed by the Government. Regardless of the diversity of views among those rubbing shoulders in the cabinet room next week, one man will stand out as something of an oddity. Ted O'Brien, shadow treasurer, invited as a participant, will be as much an observer. O'Brien might say he wants to be constructive, but his role means he will want to be critical. But he has to tread carefully. Others in the room, and outside observers, will be making judgments about him. For O'Brien, the gathering should be a networking opportunity more than an occasion for performative display.

Sky News AU
5 hours ago
- Sky News AU
'Un-Australian' Labubu-themed vape shop opens across the road from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office in Sydney
Illegal vape stores are becoming increasingly 'un-Australian', according to some Sydney locals who are furious over one shop just metres from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate office. The newly opened store, named 'Labubu Stop & Shop', is located merely steps down the road from Mr Albanese's office in the suburb of Marrickville. Concerning to locals is the depiction of the popular children's toy smoking a cigarette on the shop front, amid the federal government's vape reforms aimed at reducing the health risks of vaping among young people. Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne on Instagram said he sent council compliance staff to the shop on Thursday to 'act on' its opening. "This is beyond belief," Mr Byrne wrote alongside a photo of the shop. "This is exactly why we are fighting to have the Government introduce a requirement for a development application (DA) to be submitted and approved before these shops can open. "At the moment all they have to submit is a change of use application (a basic form)." It comes as the NSW government this month tabled illegal vaping reforms in parliament, which could see a penalty of more than $1.5 million and seven years imprisonment for the commercial possession of illicit tobacco. Mr Byrne said he welcomes the state's proposed legislation to crack down on black market vapes and stores, but he is still fighting for more council DA powers to "stop the spread of these shops" in Sydney. In NSW, councils have limited power to stop vape stores from opening, which is why Mr Byrne has, for more than a year, proposed the DA plan which would see assessment and potential refusal of further stores. The Labubu Stop & Shop debate turned to Reddit, where one person quipped it could have at least displayed some relevance to Australia. "How un-Australian," they wrote of the Labubu reference, adding: "They should have Bluey and Bingo smashing down a durrie." The plush doll originated from Hong Kong, China, before soaring in popularity worldwide, while Bluey is a popular Aussie kids' show. "Imagine not only vaping but choosing a shop with a cartoon Labubu puffing away on the sign," another person said. Others argued while the toy is predominantly for children, it is possessed mainly by adults; therefore, the store would not appeal to young people. "Labubu isn't really a 'children's toy'; most people with them are grown-ups," one person said. "Plus, there are smoke shops with Mario and Luigi smoking blunts, and no one complains." The Marrickville shop is one of many which has made little effort to disguise the sale of vapes even after vaping reforms passed in 2024. The reforms limited vape sales to pharmacies and mandated consultations with pharmacists, effectively leading to black market boom. However, recent statistics show young people are smoking and vaping more than they were before the reforms came into effect. The data revealed more than one in 10 adults aged 18-24 are smoking cigarettes, marking a 36 per cent increase in less than a year. Sky has contacted Darcy Byrne and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's offices for comment.

Courier-Mail
6 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Revealed: How Australia's new EV tax rollout will work
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News. EXCLUSIVE Australia's new tax on electric vehicle drivers is set to kick off with a trial period for trucks before it stings cars. can reveal that the Albanese Government is looking at a staged rollout to test the proposed new EV tax and trucks will be the first cab off the rank. It is also interested in a new road user charge that sends price signals on the best time to be on the road, or the freeway. Over time, it could replace petrol taxes and apply to all cars based on distance travelled and when cars and trucks are on the road to tackle congestion. Don't miss a ding! Get all the latest Australian news as it happens — download the app direct to your phone. Free ride for EVs nearly over The free ride enjoyed by drivers of electric vehicles is coming to a close with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and state governments finalising plans for a new road-user charge. All Australian motorists who buy petrol and diesel at the bowser pay 51.6 cents a litre in fuel excise. But drivers of EV vehicles pay nothing. 'The status quo won't be sustainable over the next decade or two,'' Treasurer Jim Chalmers told 'As more and more people get off petrol cars and into EVs we've got to make sure that the tax arrangements support investment in roads. 'But we're in no rush, changes of this nature will be made, because the status quo won't work in 10 or 20 years.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers has shared some details of the government's plan. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman The Treasurer says roads won't keep up without a new system for charging users, with potholes like these in Sydney this week becoming more common. Picture: Richard Dobson The Treasurer made no secret of his support for a road user charge before the election, but favours a staged rollout of the changes. Based on a planned NSW road user scheme, a national rollout will depend on your mileage but might cost between $300 and $400 a year. Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said that electric vehicles are 'heavier and do more damage to the road network as a consequence than do internal combustion engine vehicles'. 'By giving drivers a clear signal about the cost of infrastructure, they would have an incentive to use it more efficiently,' the Productivity Commission report said. How does fuel excise work? The current rate of fuel excise is 51.6 cents in excise for every litre of fuel purchased. For a typical household with a car running on petrol, the tax costs more than $1200 a year. But the flat sales tax isn't paid by drivers of pure electric vehicles, who simply need to plug in their cars to recharge. While registration and driver's licence fees go to state and territory governments, fuel excise is collected by the federal government. Australian motorists paid an estimated $15.71 billion in net fuel excise in 2023-24, and are expected to pay $67.6 billion over the four years to 2026-27. However, governments have long-warned that a road-user charge will be required to fill the gap in the budget left by declining revenue from the fuel excise, as the petrol and diesel engines in new cars consume less fuel and Australians adopt hybrid and electric cars. Chinese tech to change EVs Rapid charging tech promised by China's CATL could put electric cars in top gear, as David McCowen reports. Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 37.82% 0:00 00:00 / 00:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:26 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Chinese tech to change EVs China's... more CATL could put electric cars in top gear, as David McCowen reports. Rapid charging tech promised by... more ... more A road user charge is needed to fill the gap left by the decreasingly profitable fuel excise. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar What does the AAA say? The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is calling for a national approach to road-user charging but wants a guarantee the revenue will be earmarked for road upgrades. The AAA backs a distance-based road-user charging as a fairer and more equitable way to fund land transport infrastructure. The 2024 federal budget forecasted a reduction in fuel excise receipts by $470 million over four years from 2024-25. Roadblocks to reform Currently, New South Wales is the only state with firm plans to introduce a road-user charge from 2027 or when EVs reach 30 per cent of new car sales. Plug-in hybrid EVs will be charged a fixed 80 per cent proportion of the full road-user charge to reflect their vehicle type. Western Australia has also stated an intention to implement a road-user charge. Meanwhile, Victoria's electric vehicle levy had to be scrapped following a ruling from the High Court. Our road infrastructure must be maintained as heavier EVs do increasing damage. Picture: Alan Barber Two Victorian electric car owners launched a legal challenge on the basis the tax was not legal as it was an excise that only a federal government could impose. They won, with the High Court upholding the legal challenge. There have been several false starts to enshrine a road-user charge including in South Australia, where the former Liberal Government planned to introduce a charge for plug-in electric and other zero emission vehicles, which included a fixed component and a variable charge based on distance travelled. It was later pushed back to 2027 due to a backlash before the legislation was ultimately repealed. 'Gold standard' for reform Some experts argue the gold standard for reform is a variable rate that factors in the vehicle's mass, distance travelled, location, and time of day. But there's a big barrier to the Commonwealth imposing those charges because the Constitution prohibits it from imposing taxes that discriminate between states or parts of states. State governments could impose those levies, but as the experience of the Victorian Government underlines, it is legally complex. Originally published as How the Albanese Government plans to revolutionise the taxes you pay for driving a car