The aroma is musky with hints of pine and chile pepper that’s gone a bit old. The flavor is rather reminiscent of black pepper, but becomes numbing and sharp afterwards. It’s highly recommended that you start slowly with long pepper as it can be a bit jarring. Speaking of jarring, long pepper is a unique way to perk up homemade pickles and preserves. For more immediate meals, add whole to stews and curries and fish out before serving; they’ll imbue the dish with a forest-like peppery kick.