Cubeb is the dried immature fruits of a tropical vine. They are a close relative to black pepper which they resemble in appearance and flavour. Cubebs also have notes of allspice and a strong, pine-like pungency that mellows in cooking. Also known as Java pepper, they were popular in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries as a substitute for black pepper, and are scarcely known outside of Indonesia today. They are enjoying a minor resurgence in popularity among spice aficionados and are sometimes available from specialty spice shops.