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Just like it is with us, Cambodians also pay due attention to the celebration of the New Year. This holiday, which, following the example of countries like India or Thailand, is based on the solar calendar, celebrates not only the beginning but also the end – it marks the end of the demanding harvest period, allowing farmers to take a break. However, don’t expect New Year's Eve with fireworks until the very end – before that, many important rituals need to be performed! Day 1 (Moha Sangkran): Arrival of angels and new loves The Khmers believe that on the first day of the New Year celebrations, new angels arrive to take care of this world. They decorate their homes for the angels, perform a thorough cleaning, and prepare drinks and fruit so that the angels fall properly in love with this world – and especially with their households . Each content angel stays in the house for the entire year and takes care of the whole family. On this day, people also go to the temple for blessings, traditional games are played, and some young Cambodians welcome this day as a suitable moment for meeting new people. In the past few decades, "dating" as we know it did not exist in Cambodia, so this holiday is full of shared encounters on the street and is a very convenient moment to take the first step and get to know an exceptional partner. Day 2 (Wanabot): Giving As an old Indian proverb says, "Whatever is worth having is also worth sharing" – and the Khmers know this very well. On this day, they offer gifts to their parents, grandparents, and elders. These are material gifts, but also money or clothing for the poor. In the evening, everyone gathers in temples, builds sand mountains, and asks monks for blessings of happiness and peace. Day 3 (Leung Sakk): Thorough cleaning and refreshment for the New Year We could call this day our New Year's Eve – it is the day when the year 2021 becomes 2022. Early in the morning, the Khmers head to the temple to perform the sand mountain ritual and receive blessings. Then comes the joyful festival Srang Preah, where everyone showers. But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean mass celebrations in Cambodian bathrooms, but a ritual purification. Water is poured over and used to bathe Buddhist statues, monks, elders, parents, and grandparents so that people apologize and show gratitude. And at the same time, it’s also a bit for the young to have proper fun.The Khmer New Year is a great traditional holiday full of colors and joy for Cambodians. You can enjoy it too as a visitor if you happen to be in Cambodia at that time. During this period, we recommend visiting the Angkor Wat temple, where you can also receive blessings from monks, which can be an unforgettable souvenir for the whole year. Or stop by the south of the country, in Kampot, for the best pepper in the world.

The Cambodian New Year, also known as the Khmer New Year (in Khmer: បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរ), also called Choul Chnam Thmey or Moha Sangkran, is a traditional annual celebration of the new year in Cambodia. This three-day festival falls this year on April 14th - 16th and is associated not only with the start of the solar year according to, for example, India or Thailand, but also, in terms of timing, for example, with our Easter. And the date is actually not the only thing these two holidays have in common. Pagan blessing or Khmer tradition? Besides the very traditional cleaning of Buddha statues with perfumed water by the elders, the rich setting of tables with flowers and food to honor their ancestors, and the display of beautiful festive costumes, the Khmers celebrate the arrival of the new year also with the very popular water pouring. Does this remind you of the Moravian countryside? It certainly can, because this custom looks very similar and definitely the youth have a lot of fun with it both here and in Cambodia! Prepare for a proper shower While here the so-called "Oblévačka" means pouring water on girls on Easter Monday – originally as a punishment for stinginess and not giving gifts to carolers, later known as a rejuvenating treatment – it always took place with buckets and cold water, in Cambodia they most often pour liquid plaster (a mixture of water with some chalk powder). This festival is called Srang Preah. In both cases, you can be almost 100% sure that this shower will unexpectedly land on your head thanks to the younger generation, who properly enjoy both holidays. But don't be confused and definitely don't take it as malice; pouring water for Khmers means an apology – they apologize to their elders for any mistake they caused and to show gratitude. April – holiday time The reason why Cambodians celebrate the new year beginning in April basically has two reasons. First, in the Angkor era, that is in the 13th century, the then Khmer king changed the new year to the fifth month of the lunar calendar, that is April according to the solar calendar. And because about 95% of the population in Cambodia is engaged in agriculture, this made great sense to everyone. The period from November to March is the busiest time for Khmer farmers when they harvest rice fields. In April, Khmers find time for a little vacation after hard work in the fields, because it still does not rain and it is still very hot.  And what about Kampot pepper, you ask? It slightly deviates from this harvest ending because it needs different conditions than rice. And we already know well that the rarest ripe red pepper is harvested only at the turn of May. 

While the cuisine of Vietnam, China, or Japan is still exotic to us, but far from unknown, in the case of Cambodian cuisine (or if we want to be traditional, Khmer cuisine) we are talking about flavors that are a great mystery not only in the Czech Republic but also for many other European countries. So what does a traditional Cambodian feast really look like? Rice and freshwater fish play an important role in the diet of the Khmers. Moreover, real connoisseurs are in rice – Khmer cuisine uses over 2000 varieties! These are ingredients that are ubiquitous in the country thanks to the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake. This lake expands during the monsoon season to an area of up to 16 thousand square kilometers and brings beneficial moisture to the rice fields, creating a perfect environment for fish breeding. France, Vietnam, but also China Traditional Khmer recipes are influenced by a whole range of neighboring countries. To the west, Thai influences are noticeable, while to the east, Vietnamese ones. The cuisine was also influenced by Chinese immigrants, and we must not forget the French influence, to which Cambodia was subject during the colonial times of this country by the French. Traditional ingredients are therefore similar to those used in other Asian countries. Besides fish and rice, these include palm sugar, limes, garlic, chili, coconut milk, lemongrass, shallots, and so on. Among the traditional dishes is, for example, Amok fish steamed in coconut milk and wrapped in a banana leaf. In this dish, curry paste also plays an important role. It is a national dish that we could compare to our svíčková (a Czech beef dish), although in this case we are talking about a very healthy svíčková. :-) How do they sin in Cambodia? Even Cambodians know how to indulge in a bit of the unhealthy, as demonstrated by Twa Ko, a traditional sausage. It is made from pork or beef and various mixtures of spices. A proper Twa Ko should contain 20 to 25 percent fat. They prefer to grill the sausage, or enjoy it with vegetables and rice. Nom banh chok is the equivalent of a Czech roll with butter and tea. It is a broth with rice noodles in curry, which Cambodians like to eat for breakfast. These noodles are topped with fish sauce and served with plenty of vegetables such as cucumber, bean sprouts, banana flower, and so on. Cambodians also have a sweet tooth. In their case, desserts mostly consist of sweet fruit again accompanied by rice. You wouldn’t believe how many different types of bananas actually exist until you visit some Cambodian markets. Besides bananas, mango, pineapple, or durian with its unusual taste and smell, which Asians literally adore, are very popular fruits.

A rat decorated with medals might seem a bit comical, but in this case humor is set aside. The little golden medal was awarded to the mouse Magawa for his service to the organization APOPO, whose goal is to detect landmine-contaminated areas, clear them of mines, and thus make another piece of precious land accessible to locals, which previously was too dangerous to cultivate. We also supported Magawa and visited him several times during our stay in Cambodia. The news of his death saddened us deeply. Let us remember his importance at least with the following article, which we dedicate to this rat hero. Magawa – brave lifesaver Magawa performed his service precisely in Cambodia, which is still considered one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. This is a remnant of the bloody genocide by the Khmer Rouge, who killed or severely injured more than 64,000 residents in the country. Thanks to the work of Magawa, his rat colleagues, and the entire team, mines in rural areas of Cambodia are being found by the hundreds. There are several reasons why rats are used for mine detection. These animals have a perfectly developed sense of smell, and if they undergo the right training, they are able to sniff out the chemicals inside mines and mark the location. Their reward is, of course, a treat. At the same time, their weight is so low that they can run through minefields without any fear of activating the devices with their small paws and causing an explosion. A rat cannot do without a human – and a human cannot do without a rat either Because of this, Magawa was able to search an area the size of a tennis court within thirty minutes, which would take an ordinary person with a detector several days. Nevertheless, this rat hero was never alone during searches – a human with a detector always accompanied him to confirm his findings. According to statistics, rats have collectively found nearly 65,000 mines hidden in the ground, thereby protecting about 1.7 million people from potential injury or even death. Therefore, it is important to highlight and remember heroes like Magawa, who enjoyed a well-deserved rest in his final years and became a role model for many of his successors. Photo source: PDSA

Cambodia is a country that attracts an increasing number of tourists seeking exotic experiences. However, it is not only nature, food, or architecture that is exotic in Cambodia. For us Europeans, some typical behavioral patterns of Cambodians can also be surprising, and it is good to be prepared for them. Cheers! And properly Toasting is common in many European countries. However, Cambodians experience this custom in a very unusual way. During celebrations, they toast (in Khmer, "cul mui") with every sip, and everything is accompanied by great cheers and wishes for everyone sitting at the table individually. It is no wonder that such a drinking session can last late into the night. Mainly calmly The main religion in the country is Buddhism — the philosophy of this religion is embraced by the vast majority of Cambodians. This is also why they are mild, calm, and always try to avoid conflicts. You will rarely hear angry shouting or arguments. Likewise, if you let your emotions get the better of you, you lose your authority in the eyes of the locals. Here, the best strategy is a smile from ear to ear. What to wear? Cambodians are quite reserved, so it is good to wear not too flashy clothing that covers at least below the knees and also covers the elbows when visiting religiously significant places. It is also considered rude to enter someone's home wearing shoes. This rule also applies to temples, where it is appropriate to remove head coverings as well. Do not touch The head is considered the most sacred part of the body in Cambodia, while the feet are regarded as the least important. Therefore, it is not appropriate to touch anyone's head. Similarly, it is rude to point at people's feet, especially monks and Buddha statues. No handshakes Yes, handshakes are not appropriate in this case. In Cambodia, greetings are made by placing the palms together, bringing the hands to the chest, all accompanied by a gentle bow. The higher the person stands in front of you, the higher your hands should be and the deeper your bow. Observing these customs opens the hearts of the Khmers, and soon a kind acceptance with wide smiles follows, perhaps calmly beyond the threshold of their homes, where the real, authentic Cambodia begins. We also always humbly follow the customs of our farmers in the Kampot region, whom we greatly respect.

Cambodia is a country that, over the years we have been visiting it, we allow ourselves to call our second home. Nevertheless, it never ceases to amaze us with its diversity and variety, as well as some amusing facts we have learned about it. Angkor Wat on the flag The Angkor Wat temple located in Siem Reap province is probably the most famous place in Cambodia, attracting thousands of tourists every year. Besides being the largest religious complex in the world, Angkor is also the only building in the world that has been featured on a national flag. No Happy Meal Although Cambodian – or traditional Khmer cuisine – is not very well known to us, it is truly excellent. However, Europeans staying in the country for a longer time might miss proper “junk food” – Western fast food. The problem is that there is not a single McDonald's in the country. The most famous fast food chain simply failed to take root here. But there is no need to despair; Burger King succeeded.  For those who want to forget about “fast food” and try authentic Cambodia, we recommend visiting locals and tasting true Khmer cuisine, based on more than 2,000 varieties of rice, freshwater fish, and various types of vegetables and fruits. You might even find the real Kampot pepper in it, which you will truly grow fond of. :-) Geckos predict marriage The giant gecko is one of many animals you can encounter in the country. Locals actually keep them and even believe they can predict the future. Just as we pick daisy petals, Cambodians count gecko chirps to find out if they will be lucky or when they will get married. By the way, weddings usually last three days, which would be quite a celebration here. Funerals are a true ceremony Even bigger events than weddings for Cambodians are funerals. Although the average monthly income is about 100 dollars, funerals here cost on average 9,000 dollars. Moreover, the ceremony can last up to 49 days, during which the extended family gathers, usually contributing all their savings to make the final farewell as dignified as possible. Mines at every step Cambodia is still one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, and unfortunately, large funeral ceremonies often take place due to people stepping on mines. There are between 8 and 10 million mines scattered across the country. These are mainly in rural areas where tourists often do not venture – traveling in Cambodia is safe, and the Khmer themselves welcome every visitor with open arms. This is just one part of the bloody legacy of the Khmer Rouge, whose wounds Cambodia has not yet fully healed. Until this year, Cambodia’s gradual demining was aided by a brave male rat named Magawa, whose important work we ourselves supported. During his life, he detected more than a hundred mines in rural Cambodian areas. He died earlier this year, and although a new trained rat rescuer will eventually take his place, Magawa will remain in our hearts, and we are rightly proud of his work.

The longer we spend in a foreign country, the more memories we gather and the closer they become to our hearts. To continuously remind ourselves of the moments we experienced on our travels even after returning home, it is good to bring back several souvenirs from those places and take a small piece of the foreign land with us. If you want to remember Cambodia this way, we have a few tips for small items you can bring from the country that won’t just lie around on your shelf at home. Krama Krama is something you will encounter at every step in Cambodia. It is a multifunctional scarf that is one of the national symbols of the country. The krama has countless uses. Besides being a scarf, it is used for carrying children, covering the face, as a hammock for babies, as a mosquito net, to ward off insects, and for many other purposes. Traditional krama colors include red and white, but you can find a whole colorful palette of various designs. You can buy a krama on every corner, but choose those with higher weight and durability so the scarf lasts you as long as possible. Even here at home, you can wear it with love and definitely won’t look like an exotic person. :-) Upcycled Items Cambodia certainly does not belong to countries with a high standard of living, quite the opposite. The local inhabitants are mostly poorer and therefore look for various ways to make a living. One of these is the production of various items from waste. This activity reflects extraordinary Khmer craftsmanship, where artisans can create something beautiful even from what looks like utterly worthless waste at first glance. Most often these are decorative items, but you can also find everyday necessities such as wallets, dishes, clothing, and more. Tattoos If you want a truly permanent souvenir from Cambodia, get a traditional Khmer tattoo. These tattoos have deep symbolism and are done during a ceremony that imbues the tattoo with magical properties. Khmer tattoos are not just decoration; they have protective symbolism and become an integral part of you. David and Klárka both have their Khmer tattoos, and we jokingly—and maybe not so jokingly—like to say that they protect the entire .pepper..field. :-) Last but not least, bring back a few Kampot peppercorns from Cambodia for good luck. And if your suitcase is already full, don’t despair. Just visit our website and enjoy a proper piece of authentic Cambodia in your kitchen right away in several forms.

Becoming a digital nomad is the dream of many people. Some grab their laptop, backpack, and head wherever their feet take them. However, some feel the need to gather as much information as possible in advance. If you belong to the latter group and would like to experience your nomadic adventure in Cambodia, you are at the right place. We bring you a few basic insights that you should keep in mind when one day you set out to fulfill your dreams, for example, in this sunny and smiling country. The internet is slow but available For every digital nomad, it is important to have food and drink, a place to lay their head, and stable internet. Cambodia has internet, but you must not rush it. So if you are one of those who consume mountains of gigabytes daily, it is better to stay in bigger cities. In surrounding areas, internet is available, but it will certainly test your patience. The good news is that internet connection in the country is cheap, so being online is not impossible. Do not underestimate health insurance In Cambodia, it really does not pay off to be without health insurance. Western-style hospital services are really very expensive. One unfortunate accident is enough — you fall off a motorcycle, twist your ankle on a walk, and it can cost you a significant part of your savings. Therefore, it is good to have quality travel insurance that covers all medical expenses. Learn the basics of the language This applies everywhere in the world — it is good to know at least a little of the local language. No matter how silly you might feel, learn at least a few words. Locals will see that you are making an effort and want to immerse yourself in their culture and get closer to them. Keep notes on your phone and learn greetings and farewells, names of some dishes, and a few basic questions. It is always useful to study numbers as well. Try ordering your food in their language and you will see that you almost immediately break the ice in the entire restaurant. Study the history There is nothing better than knowing the history of the place where you find yourself. You can then connect everything into context and, just like with the language, show locals that the place is not just a holiday destination you came to waste time in. Explore Cambodia thoroughly and you will see that it will reward you with its endless smile. But beware, you might then want to hang up your digital nomad life and stay here permanently. :-)

We became guests of one of the most watched internet televisions in the Czech Republic, which has received several awards for its news and journalistic activities in the viewer poll Crystal Lupa. We went through a tough screening and answered all the curious questions of reporter Michael Rozsypal. Did we defend our Kampot pepper as the best in the world? How did we go from 12 farming families to the current number of 203 families under our wings? And who oversees everything in Cambodia when we are on the other side of the world? Listen to our interview on DVTV, which has been among the most watched in recent weeks. We won’t lie to you, when the invitation to DVTV came, we were extremely happy. Not everyone is invited to this television – for us, it is also feedback that our work in the Czech Republic really means something and has a global impact. That’s why we didn’t hesitate and accepted the invitation.  “We came a bit boldly to the president of the Kampot Pepper Association in Cambodia and told him what we had planned. The first interview with him was quite reserved, but then he completely changed and lit up,” describes David the beginnings of the .pepper..field project. “At the beginning, the situation was complicated also because the borders were almost closed – which is logical after everything Cambodia went through,” Klára recalls.  Do you agree with Klára and David that even today quality pepper is worth its weight in gold? Watch our full interview. Although we have already done several interviews for various TV channels, this time it was different and we must admit that we were also touched by a slight feeling of nervousness. We really are on DVTV! All the more we are pleased that our interview is so popular. We thank you all for the wave of support expressed in the comments and on social networks. We are proud of our amazing .pepper..family that we have in you.

The Kampot province, from where we import Kampot pepper for you, is one of the most picturesque regions of Cambodia, which has managed to preserve its authentic character influenced not only by the Cambodians themselves but also by the colonizers who operated here in past centuries. It is a unique place you must visit if you want to experience the real Asia. Although it is a beautiful place, tourism has not yet changed it much, so here you can enjoy a holiday with truly minimal expenses that you will never forget. Why do we like Kampot so much? Besides the fact that we love the ever-present green plantations, we also have many favorite places here that we visit every year and that are directly connected with Kampot pepper. What could such pepper tourism include? The Bokor Mountains You definitely should not miss Bokor National Park, where you will witness the beauty that only the local nature can create. These are mountains that on one side cast a shadow over our plantations and provide them with a cozy refuge reminiscent of a jungle. If you head to these mountains, besides famous historical sites and beautiful old buildings, you will also see the Popokvil waterfall. At this unique place, you will merge not only with nature but also with the locals. It is a popular spot for meditating monks and locals who refresh themselves here during steamy days. Seafood served like nowhere else in the world Would you like to taste Kampot pepper like never before? Then we would recommend the fish markets in nearby Kep, where freshly caught shrimp are served along with fresh green Kampot pepper directly on the stalk and lightly grilled in a pan. A delicacy that we also invite our friends to try. The town itself is full of restaurants specializing in cooking with pepper, offering cooking classes or simply including it in their menus as a matter of course. P.S. Did you know that the unique Kampot climate and soil give a unique quality to several ingredients, not just  Kampot pepper? For example, the local salt is one of the tastiest and healthiest we have ever had on a plate. And you can find it with us too. Also excellent are other local spices and fresh herbs that farmers grow on their lands.

It has been more than a year since the coronavirus pandemic significantly slowed down the pace of humanity and exposed it to completely new situations. Who would have ever thought that children would not be able to go to school, visiting friends and family would be possible only in a very limited manner, and traveling would become a challenge full of complications and paperwork. Many enthusiastic travelers therefore prefer to stay at home, which, however, does not mean that their traveling hearts have stopped beating. Many of them are already dreaming of plans to explore corners of our planet once everything returns to normal. If you are one of them and Cambodia caught your eye, you have surely already read about all the notoriously well-known monuments that can be visited in this country. But we want to offer you a small taste of what you will not find in ordinary guides to Cambodia. Beloved Kampot This area in the southern part of Cambodia offers a unique taste of true Asia, where you can occasionally encounter subtle nuances left behind by the French during the colonial era. If you were to come here, we would gladly arrange a tour of one of our farms for you, led by our Cambodian team. Experience Kampot pepper authentically, as small families and we ourselves live it. Kampot is also full of pink fields and pepper plantations, above which rise the peaks of the beautiful Bokor Mountains full of caves, golden Buddhas, waterfalls, and ancient temples. In the town, you will also find our most popular restaurants using Kampot pepper in ways you have never experienced before. The Cardamom Mountains This unique area full of wild fauna and flora is located on the southwestern border of Cambodia with Thailand. It is a place where you can experience the rainforest in its true beauty. However, it is important to remember that the more beautiful such a place is, the more dangerous it can be. Therefore, venture into the dense jungle only with experienced guides who will take you to the most interesting spots, and if you are lucky, you will have fascinating encounters with the inhabitants of the rainforest. Just like in Kampot, here too we can introduce you to a sustainable community that will host you, accommodate you, and guide you safely through this beautiful nature. Mondulkiri Those of you who watched our online lecture last week for the travel festival Around the World know that Mondulkiri is a beautiful piece of jungle with freely living elephants. They live here to old age in a beautiful project that rescues injured elephants and gives them a chance for a dignified life full of freedom. So if you want to venture into the jungle with a bunch of bananas and crawl through the greenery until you spot huge elephant feet, write to us and we will gladly connect you with the organization Mondulkiri Project.

In the morning, they get up and head out to their pepper plantation bathed in sunlight. The sun rays, filtering through the leaves of the pepper vines, tickle the Cambodian farmers' faces until evening, when it's time to go back home. This scenario repeats day after day until it's time to harvest and dry the peppercorns, followed by selling the crop. For some farmers, this is a joyful final touch to their work, for others, a very demanding task that determines the future of their entire family. Why is it difficult for some farmers to sell their pepper, even though there is demand for it on the market? It might seem that farmers have no problem selling pepper of the quality that Kampot has. Unfortunately, the opposite is true in some cases, caused by several factors. The first stems from the problematic search for buyers. Many farms are located in remote places where traders do not want to travel – so farmers have to go to the traders. If they actually find one, a second problem arises, which is the language barrier.  Kampot pepper is primarily an export item, which means it is purchased by foreign traders who mostly do not speak Khmer. Therefore, communication between a small farmer and a foreign trader is often very problematic. We know which farmers need the most help However, the game is not won even at the moment when both trading partners agree. The production of some farms is so small that big traders simply are not interested. Buying from such a farm is not profitable for them as they would like. Farmers often have no choice but to sell their crop below price to at least get some financial reward for their work. And that is a great shame because pepper from such farmers is often far higher quality than pepper from large farms usually owned by foreigners, who see them only as a source of finance, to which the entire production is subordinated. We have decided to find our own way to avoid such pepper, to find our own and at the same time help the locals. We try to lend a hand precisely to those family farmers who are smaller, do not speak English, find it difficult to travel to the city, and get their pepper to the market. But these are exactly the families who know the surroundings of Kampot as perfectly as no one else. Also its exceptional soil, walked on for generations. And it is thanks to them that we can offer you pepper that has no equal in the world. 

If you ever travel to the Cambodian region of Kampot, you will definitely come across strange plantations covered with palm leaves, which may resemble domestic hop fields. As you probably suspect, these are plantations of black pepper, which, thanks to favorable climatic conditions and a traditional approach to its cultivation, produce the best peppercorns in the world right here. They are the main livelihood of about a few hundred local farmers, who come to the plantations every day under the sunlight to take care of their black gold, as the locals call their pepper. Farmers have to deal with several natural elements at once It is precisely the sharp sun rays that are the reason why individual pepper vines are covered with palm leaves, which protect them from scorching. This is also taken care of by the shields of the Bokor Mountains, which provide much-needed shade.  However, the reason why farmers have their hands full every day with their plantations is not the sun, but primarily pests. There are several ways to combat them. The less responsible ones use chemical pesticides, but you will not encounter their pepper with us. Our pepper comes only from farms that deal with pests using traditional natural methods. These are also supplemented by manure and guano obtained from caves inhabited by bats, which nourish the plants in the right way. There is not a day when farmers do not check all the grains from the pepper plantations The harvest season comes between February and May. During this time, the hardest work begins, when farmers manually pick individual clusters of Kampot peppercorns, which they then process further. The processing procedure is no less demanding; the grains must be separated from the stem, briefly boiled, and then spread out on mats to dry in the sun, during which they acquire their characteristic coloring. Outside the harvest season, farmers also enjoy a lot of work, mainly planting or daily checking of the grains – for example, red Kampot pepper is picked only from fully ripe berries, so a whole day of hard work might bring you just a small cup of pepper. After harvesting, each grain is carefully sorted with tweezers (due to their size), packed, and shipped. Read about how even the Package itself can be demanding! Therefore, pepper cultivation is very labor-intensive work, leaving the neck sunburned and hands full of calluses. Historically, farmers were not adequately rewarded for their hard work. And this is exactly what we at .pepper..field are trying to change. 

The history of pepper cultivation and trade is rich, full of adventure, voyages to unknown lands, and the construction of magnificent palaces with money earned from trading peppercorns. The history associated with pepper cultivation in the Kampot region is no less significant. The tradition of pepper cultivation in Cambodia dates back to our Middle Ages Pepper has been cultivated in Cambodia since the time of the Khmer Empire, which represents a tradition reaching deep into the era when the Přemyslid dynasty ruled our lands. The very first detailed description of pepper cultivation in the Kampot region however, dates back to the 13th century. During this period, a Chinese envoy named Zhou Daguan arrived in the territory of present-day Kampot, who dedicated part of his writings specifically to the methods of pepper cultivation by the ancient Khmers and their customs. Thanks to this, his work remains one of the main sources of information about the culture of the Khmer Empire.  Although trade between the Old Continent and Far Asia was in full swing already in the 16th century, Europeans discovered the uniqueness of Kampot's black gold much later. This happened in the 19th century when a port was built in Kampot, where trading ships from all over the world arrived. During this era, the production of Kampot pepper intensified, only for the plantations to be soon reduced to ashes. Territorial disputes destroyed the pepper fields This occurred during wars between the Sultanate of Aceh and the Dutch, who originally came to the area solely for trade. However, the Dutch eventually brought destruction and fragmentation to the sultanate. Its leader, as a reward, ordered the plantations to be burned so they would not fall into the hands of Dutch enemies. What is typical for the tradition of pepper cultivation in Kampot, however, is its ability to rise from the ashes. This was achieved even after the Aceh wars, so that by the mid-20th century, pepper from this region became the dominant spice in European markets. In 1928, most of the pepper used in France came precisely from this area, and by the 1960s, production had reached a staggering 8,000 tons per year. The brutal political regime tried to undermine not only the will but also the traditions As is often the case, after rapid growth, a steep decline followed. This time it was brought about by the Khmer Rouge, who decimated the entire country in an unprecedented way. The production of 8,000 tons suddenly shrank to a mere 4 tons annually, and local farmers, in an effort to prevent famine, focused primarily on rice cultivation. Now the tradition of pepper cultivation in this region is once again being revived, and we at .pepper..field are grateful to be part of its rebirth. Since 2018, when we began fair business and cooperation in Cambodia, many things have improved. We are glad to be part of it and to watch how this beautiful country is opening up to the world once again.

If you are our customers, or if you are considering bringing a small piece of Cambodia into your kitchen, rest assured that this purchase will not only make us happy but, above all, support the families of farmers living in the Cambodian Kampot region, where the pepper we offer is grown. Helping is necessary – but effective These people wake up every day to a reality significantly different from what we are used to in our modern European environment. Although many things here do not work as they should, the vast majority of us at least have the security of a social and healthcare safety net that, so to speak, has our backs and can help us when things are at their worst. Unfortunately, nothing like that exists in Cambodia. The entire country is still recovering from a difficult past, and every local family must take care of themselves because no one else will do it for them. Inaccessible medical care, a very limited education system, and a weak labor market are reasons why life here is significantly different from ours. We could learn a lot from the values of Cambodians Nevertheless, life among the jungles and pepper plantations is purer and perhaps even happier. If you wanted to find a person in Cambodia who is not positive and does not constantly smile from ear to ear, you would really search for a long time. These people have learned to make great wealth from their little and to take every little thing as an opportunity for joy. And this is exactly why we want to establish a trade exchange between us Europeans and the positive Cambodians. We Europeans send a piece of our Western wealth to Cambodia, for which local farmers can afford healthcare and send their children to school. In return, they will scent our kitchens with unique Kampot pepper and teach us that the greatest wealth is not hidden in bank accounts but in our hearts and in the way we view the world around us.

If you follow us regularly, you have noticed a new article from Khmer Times that we published on our Facebook page, which concerns how important the protected geographical indication of Kampot pepper is and what its impact is in the whole context! We decided to translate this important article for you and explain it further to bring you even closer to the uniqueness of Kampot pepper. What is the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement and how does it work with the protection of origin trademarks The World Intellectual Property Organization, known by the acronym WIPO, is an organization that since 1967 has ensured that the uniqueness of intellectual and physical products of human culture is protected as much as possible. Among these products is Kampot pepper, which is an integral part of Cambodian agricultural culture, cultivated and bred for generations into the finest pepper in the world. Last year, the so-called Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement came into force, which is a treaty managed by the WIPO organization. Simply put, it is an agreement that allows individual international organizations to clearly emphasize the origin and geographical indication of their products. These protective tools help local producers distinguish their products from others that do not reach such quality, make them more visible, and thus help them achieve higher earnings. Kampot pepper received the desired protection One of the first countries to join the entire system of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement is Cambodia, which thus gained the opportunity to grant specific geographical indications to some of its products. It is no surprise that this honor was bestowed precisely on Kampot pepper, which can thus present its uniqueness as the first Cambodian product on European territory. Thanks to this, it gains a clearly dominant position among other peppers, which clearly highlights the story not only of the peppercorns growing in one of the most beautiful places in the world but also points to the stories of the people who have devoted themselves to the tradition of its cultivation for centuries. This opens completely new possibilities for Kampot pepper to make itself known worldwide and show people how unique and intense the taste of pepper can truly be. So if you buy Kampot pepper, marks with the letters PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) or GI (Geographical Indication) will indicate to you that it is truly genuine Kampot pepper in every way. How to unmistakably recognize it from others you can read for example in this article.

Although the current situation in our country – and similarly nowhere else in the world – favors travel very little, hard times will pass and we will once again be able to enjoy freedoms and trips to all corners of the world. However, post-coronavirus travel could be somewhat different, with a much greater emphasis on sustainability and authenticity. The coronavirus has shown us the fragility of the foundations on which our society stands and the negatives of globalization What was just some kind of plague raging in China a year ago is today a problem limiting the life of each of us. Society, which was running at full speed, almost froze overnight; people realized how fragile the mechanisms are that allow most people to live in such prosperity. Moreover, it has become clear how much this slowdown benefits our planet. Reduced transportation and production brought more calm and regeneration of ecosystems, air emissions decreased, and a smaller number of tourists—for example, the canals of Italian Venice—restored life in the form of fish and water birds. And these are precisely the coronavirus impacts that will help us open our eyes and change our approach to a whole range of things, including travel. Flying for a weekend vacation just because the ticket is discounted to 300 crowns? An attractive offer, but one that leaves a significant carbon footprint behind and means you basically won't get to know the destination at all within two days. Travel with the motivation to truly get to know the culture of the country and you can even save money A much better and more responsible solution is less frequent but longer vacations. During them, you will have the chance to properly get to know the place – meet the local culture, taste all the food, enjoy beautiful natural landmarks, make new friendships, and even support the local economy. However, we will never achieve this if we travel to purely tourist destinations and stay in five-star hotels of multinational developers, which are completely detached from the reality behind the walls of the resorts. You will experience the authenticity of a place only when you stay with locals. They will open the door to their community for you; through them, you will see what family life looks like here, what customs the locals have, and which places they like to visit. In short, thanks to them you will get to know much more than just tourist attractions. And this is exactly what you can experience, for example, in beloved Cambodia.

Vacationing in Asia has become a small phenomenon in recent years, beginning to even threaten Croatia, which is so beloved by all Czechs. However, flying on vacation to Asia is not just any trip. This continent offers a whole range of interesting countries, countless amazing places, and an endless number of activities that can be undertaken here. Do you want an authentic experience without tourist crowds? Try Cambodia Vietnam, Thailand, Bali — these are all notoriously well-known destinations where you can try surfing, meet many interesting people from all over the world, eat well and cheaply, and relax wonderfully. And then there is Cambodia, a magical land full of eternally smiling people, which is one of the last true fragments of the Far East. You can’t surf here, but everything else is several times more interesting. You will find plenty of opportunities to stay with locals, the level of tourism is kept within tolerable limits, and Cambodia still avoids hustle and chaos completely. Thanks to this, this little paradise on Earth can offer something that the aforementioned countries simply lack. It is authenticity, thanks to which you will be able to get to know this country in all its facets. Don’t be afraid of the locals — they will show you the most beautiful places To discover Cambodia as it really is, it is necessary that someone who lives here, that is a local, shows it to you best. It is precisely the local community that holds the keys to doors that are otherwise firmly locked to classic travel agencies. And these doors don’t necessarily lead to places hidden from others. Even if you visit the same monuments and walk the same paths as other tourists, your experience can be completely different. If you step through these doors, you will discover a small piece of Asia with an incredible number of historical sites, whose count only begins with Angkor. You will be able to see enchanting natural scenery as if taken from historical postcards. The most amazing thing Cambodia offers, however, are the people who live here. Although their faces still bear the horrors that happened during the rule of the Khmer Rouge, a wide smile from ear to ear and eyes full of joy are the reasons why Cambodia has become a second home for us. It is precisely thanks to these people that we have discovered ourselves and found a life mission to help as many locals as possible. And not only through Kampot pepper, which they grow on their farms, but also through you, to whom we show how amazing Cambodia truly is.

Human culture has given rise to a number of incredible products that stand out for their uniqueness and long-standing tradition. To make it easy to distinguish these products from similar but less quality ones, they are awarded a geographical indication trademark. This trademark also protects the uniqueness of the pepper grown in the Kampot region, which is unrivaled in the world. The trademark works the same way as Champagne in France Thanks to the so-called protected geographical indication, buyers are assured that they hold a product in their hands that will surprise them with its exceptional character, which is largely determined by the geographical area where it was produced. To better understand how this method of product protection works, let's use one of the most famous examples that is protected by a geographical indication. It is Champagne wine, a drink that must not be missing at any significant event. You don't have to be a wine expert to know that Champagne comes from the French province of Champagne-Ardenne. The fertile slopes here are ideal for growing delicate sparkling wine with a specific taste. However, sparkling wines are also grown in other parts of France and even in other parts of the world. Therefore, it was necessary to clearly distinguish for consumers which wine should be labeled as the true Champagne and which is just its distant relative. Olomouc curd cheeses, French wine, and Kampot pepper have a lot in common Besides, on our journey to exceptional products from specific locations, we don't have to go far at all. We have 23 of them right here in the Czech Republic. If you have ever tasted the traditional Wallachian frgál, explored what is hidden between the crispy layers of Hořice wafers, or wrinkled your nose at Olomouc curd cheeses, then you have most likely had the honor of encountering a purely Czech product with a protected geographical indication. Just like the sparkling treasure from France or the matured delicacy from Olomouc, peppercorns grown in the Cambodian Kampot region are also uniquely protected by this trademark worldwide. The location in the south of the country offers exceptional conditions for growing pepper in the form of fertile soil combined with the humid climate coming from the sea and the shadows cast by the peaks of the Bokor Mountains. A national treasure needs to be cared for It is precisely this place that influences the specific taste of the local peppercorn fruits. However, this is not the only difference that distinguishes Kampot pepper from others. A big role in the uniqueness of this spice is also played by the way it is grown, which in the families of local farmers has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. No mechanization, no pesticides, and only natural fertilizers. Everything here is in maximum harmony with nature and the refined taste of this pepper. And that is exactly the reason why this pepper was granted a  geographical trademark. Thanks to it, no other product can claim to be this specific pepper. No counterfeit that does not come from the picturesque Kampot, does not contain residues of chemical fertilizers and sprays, and whose taste is only a bland imitation of the real original, can deprive you of the unique experience of Kampot pepper. However, the trademark of this pepper also protects the farmers who grew it. It is proof of their diligence and daily determination to fulfill their dreams through sweat and calluses on their hands.