Black Pepper is considered the 'king of spices' and rightfully so. Unlike its perennial companion, salt, which is easily available in any nook and corner of the world, the black pepper owes its origins to Kerala – a state in South India. Pepper, in fact finds a mention in Greek and Roman history. There is a narrative about how the Egyptian Pharaoh – Ramses the Great (1303-1213 BC) had peppercorns stuffed in his nostrils when he was mummified. This fact suggests the existence of trade relations between Egypt and India during ancient times. That’s how old this spice is!
Pepper and peppercorn are at times talked off in the same breath. However, to set the record straight, peppercorns are the fruit of the piper nigrum flowering vine, while black pepper is the ground up peppercorn.
Black pepper in its two forms: peppercorn and black pepper
The word “pepper” is a derivation of the Sanskrit word pippali, in Latin piper, and pipor in Old English. In India, Malabar was the first home for black pepper and the finest Indian pepper continues to come from this region. Even before Alexander the Great set foot on the Indian soil, the flavour of pepper was well known to the people of this region. It has been around since time immemorial. This is one spice that was prevalent in Biblical times too. It was later in the Middle Ages that pepper attained a new found status in the world of “fine cooking”. The importance of this spice exceeds its culinary uses. It was considered as a valuable commodity that could serve as tribute. In 410 CE, when the Huns lay siege of Rome, 3000 pounds of pepper was demanded as ransom. Such is the prominence that pepper enjoyed in ancient times.
Green and Black pepper on vines
The Pepper Vine
The pepper plant is a perennial, climbing plant and the reason why it thrives in the Malabar region is because of the ample rainfall there. These vines twine around woody trees like rubber for support. Rainfall combined with hot temperatures and partial shade are the best possible conditions for this plant to flower, fruit and flourish. A woody climber, it reaches a height of about 10 metres by means of its aerial roots. The leaves are green and glossy and they grow alternately on the stem, opposite spikes of delicate flowers that grow in clusters. The berries then follow and these are the pungent fruit, or peppercorns. Its takes about 3 years for the vine to start bearing fruit and about 7 to 8 years for it to reach maturity and bear a full crop. The life span of a vine is about 20 years.
Peppercorns come in different colours – green, black and white. These in fact, are only different stages of its ripeness. It’s the process of harvesting and processing of the fruit that gives them different colours. Their tastes vary accordingly. Green peppercorns are picked before they are fully ripe, and are used fresh, pickled, or carefully dried, to retain their unique colour. Black peppercorns, the most popular ones, having the strongest flavour, are obtained by drying the immature green berries in the sunlight until they get wrinkled and black. The berries that are left on the plant to fully ripen then turn red in colour. These red peppercorns are then soaked and peeled, producing white peppercorns. It must be noted that white peppercorns stay on the vine for a much longer time and hence not only they tastedifferent, but are also more expensive than the green and black.
Uses
Green pepper is often frozen and dried. It is then preserved and used in soups and salads. The processed food industry uses it in sauces and other preparations. On the other hand, black pepper is a household name; it is used the world over and is a universally accepted ingredient in almost all applications where spice is used, except in sweets and desserts. In comparison, white pepper is used less frequently. This can be attributed to the fact that it is less pungent and suits those who have a milder palate. Black pepper has a longer shelf life than the white pepper – the reason being that the white pepper has been on the vine longer and hence its lifespan gets reduced. Health wise, both these variations of pepper, i.e., black and white, are of immense value. Black pepper, though pungent and fiery in taste, is said to be sweetness personified in the digestive tract. It aids the process of digestion and helps battle any bacterial growth in the intestinal tract. A sure-fire remedy for colds and coughs, it also boosts metabolism, aids weight loss, treats skin problems, reduces heart and liver ailments, and also helps reduce the risk of cancer.
3 types of peppercorns
So, whether black or white, if it’s part of your diet, you’ve got it right!
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Black pepper is known as the “The King of Spice” as it is one of the most commonly used spices in the world. That's because the fruit of the black pepper plant (from the piperaceae family) has a rich history in being used for both cooking and medicine.
Let check out black pepper nutritional information, Black pepper is rich in potassium. Potassium helps in controlling the heart rate and is useful in regulating blood pressure. Black pepper is rich in iron and is useful in combating low blood pressure.
A lot of studies prove that including this spice in your diet can accelerate the weight loss process. There is no harm including it in your diet, but make sure to consume it in moderation. Do not have more than 1-2 teaspoon of black pepper every day. Having it in excess can have multiple side effects.
Yes, black pepper does reduce inflammation and is considered an antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The major component found in black pepper is piperine and this can heal acute inflammation. Black pepper is said to have a lot of health benefits and this needs to be added to one's regular diet every day.
Pepper is still used today by people all over the world for meals at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks throughout the day. Black pepper is mentioned in the Bible several times as well.
Bleeding conditions: Piperine, a chemical in black pepper, might slow blood clotting. In theory, taking black pepper in amounts greater than those in food might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Diabetes: Black pepper might affect blood sugar levels.
Black pepper regulates lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidation status. Piperine has beneficial effects in many processes of atherosclerosis development. Piperine attenuated hypertension, cardiac injury and cardiac fibrosis. Black pepper and piperine exhibited cardiovascular protective effects.
Another popular and well-researched spice, black pepper has both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. According to one study involving piperine, the ingredient that produces black pepper's sharp taste, it may be almost as effective for arthritis sufferers as prednisolone, a common arthritis medication.
Black pepper's main ingredient, piperine, has been linked to inhibiting the growth of new fat cells. Black pepper not only gives your food a fiery bite but also helps you lose weight by preventing fat from accumulating.
Combining the spice with black pepper may help increase your body's ability to absorb turmeric's beneficial compounds. A substance in black pepper called piperine, when combined with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%.
Black pepper is a common spice added to foods. Piperine, a compound found in pepper, has been studied for health benefits. Preliminary results show that piperine (combined with curcumin) may improve lipid profiles, glucose control, and liver function enzymes.
Black pepper may help boost nutrient absorption, promote digestion, and prevent diarrhea. But, eating high amounts may promote too much absorption of some medications.
Black pepper contains piperine, which exhibits antitumor activity in several cancers. It may help reduce PCa proliferation and interfere with the cancer's cell cycle. In one study of PCa patients with advanced disease, piperine seemed to amplify the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drug docetaxel.
When combined, Black Pepper Honey can be a powerful remedy for various health issues. It can help boost the immune system, aid in weight loss, improve respiratory health, and even promote healthy skin. Mixing black pepper and honey can help with cold and flu symptoms and improve gut health.
That subtle bite means it plays well with many other ingredients, enhancing, but rarely overpowering other flavors. The main active ingredient in black peppercorns is piperine, which is the source of black pepper's characteristic heat.
Pepper was so precious in ancient times that it was used as money to pay taxes, tributes, dowries, and rent. It was weighed like gold and used as a common medium of exchange. In AD 410, when Rome was captured, 3,000 pounds of pepper were demanded as ransom.
Cardamom or Elettaria Cardamomum Maton is one of the most highly prized and is known as the “queen of spices”. It is the seeds of the plant. It is also commonly referred to as the “green cardamom” or the “true cardamom”, and belongs to the family of ginger.
Why use white pepper instead of black? Ans: White pepper has a milder, less complex flavor compared to black pepper. Some people prefer white pepper because it adds a subtle heat without the strong, pungent taste associated with black pepper. This can be desirable in dishes where you want a more delicate flavor.
Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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