cubeb

noun

cu·​beb ˈkyü-ˌbeb 

: the dried unripe berry of a tropical shrub (Piper cubeba) of the pepper family that is used as a spice

Examples of cubeb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vetiver, cubeb pepper, lemongrass, and Darjeeling green tea all serve to create a sense of place in these award-winning gins. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

Make the jollof dry spice mix: In a medium bowl, combine the ginger, thyme, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and cubeb pepper until combined. —Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2021

From the heat of cubeb berries from Java to the spice of West African Grains of Paradise, every one of Bombay Sapphire’s ten botanicals are chosen to bring their own special something to the gin. —Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021

That’s rounded out with an unusual bite of cubeb pepper (a type of peppercorn) and grains of paradise (the seeds from a plant in the same family as ginger). —Paul Stephen, ExpressNews.com, 13 June 2020

In the end, my list was short and solid: blood orange, Spanish lemon (not to be confused with Egyptian lemon, which was less smoky), rosemary—a warhorse of the gin trade, and none the worse for that—and cubeb pepper. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2019

For Salt & Straw's take on the dish, the blood is mixed with cinnamon, cilantro, cubeb pepper, and brandy to create a warm, salty dessert. —Andrea Park, Teen Vogue, 4 Oct. 2018

In the attempt to conjure a return to nature, Mr. Sercarz created a blend of flavors that includes a wild mint grown in his father’s olive grove in Galilee and Indonesian cubeb berries. —Christopher Bollen, WSJ, 26 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quibibe, cubebe, from Anglo-French quibibe, cubibe, from Medieval Latin cubeba, from dialect Arabic kubāba

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cubeb

noun

cu·​beb ˈkyü-ˌbeb 

: the dried unripe berry of a tropical shrub (Piper cubeba) of the pepper family that was formerly used medicinally when powdered for its effect on mucous membranes especially as a urinary antiseptic and to treat chronic bronchitis