Spice no. 12
Nagkesar or Cobra Saffron is a strange name but indispensable in Ayurveda due to its large range of use in ailments related to the gut such as vomiting, fever, migraines and even urinary tract infections. It is an important component of Chyavanprash. Strangely it is a very popular ornamental evergreen tree in Srilanka and is therefor also the national tree.
Nagkesar is ground along with other spices to get blends but never used singularly. The Nagkesar tree is commonly found across South East Asia and is used in local medicine beside the hard word is also sought after.
The taste of Nagkesar is like all spice. It is not to be confused with tailed pepper or Kabab chini which looks similar but varies in flavor.
There is a common mis-identification and confusion as to what exactly is "nagkesar." I have found several research books and these are my conclusions. The "real nagkesar" is Mesua ferrea. It looks reddish in color. "Kala nagkesar" is Cassia spp. The adulterant is Ochrocarpus longifolius (syn. Mammea longifolia). What you have pictured in the image is Piper cubeba. It's common English name is cubeb or tailed pepper. I agree with the names you have provided. In India, it is commonly known as "kababchini." It basically look like black pepper with tails hence "tailed pepper" is also another common name. "Allspice" is Jamaican pepper and its botanical name is Pimenta dioica. They look like super-tiny planets that got hit with craters on their ends.
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