2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
A pinch of black pepper is added to almost every recipe. Once used as a currency and given to the gods as a sacred gift, it is fortunate that this most famous spice is available year-round in stores.
Black pepper comes from a smooth creeping plant that grows in hot and humid climates. After 3-4 years, it begins to produce small white clustered flowers and turns them into grains known as black peppercorns.
Black pepper comes from the fruit of a plant called Piper nigrum, from which both green and white pepper come. The difference in their color is a reflection of the different stages through which its development and processing methods go.
Black pepper is picked until its nipples are half ripe, just before they turn red. They are then left to dry, which wrinkles their skin and turns them black. Green pepper is picked when the grains are still unripe and green in color, and white - when fully ripe. Its white color is obtained by soaking it in saline solution, whereby their dark outer shell falls off and only the white peppercorns remain.
Pink pepper comes from a completely different plant - Schinus molle - and apart from the similarity in appearance, it has nothing to do with other types of pepper.
Black pepper is the hottest and most fragrant pepper compared to other varieties and can be purchased whole, crushed or ground to a powder.
A native of India, black pepper has played a very important role in our history for thousands of years. Since ancient Greece, it has been deeply valued not only as a spice but also as a currency and a sacred gift to the gods, and in the Middle Ages the well-being of people was measured by their stocks of peppercorns.
Today, the main commercial producers of black pepper are India and Indonesia.
Composition of black pepper
Black pepper contains a certain amount of essential oil, which determines its characteristic aroma. Its peppery taste is due to the alkaloid turpentine. It also contains terpenes, fats, carbohydrates, aromatic, dye and tannins, vitamin C, resins and more.
Selection and storage of black pepper
- It is preferable to buy black peppercorns, which you can then grind yourself, as very often there are added various impurities in the grind.
- If you have the opportunity, choose organically grown pepper, as it will not have a reduced content of vitamin C.
- Store black pepper in a tightly closed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place. Otherwise, it will lose some of its properties and its pleasant pungent aroma.
- Peppercorns can be stored for a longer time, while the ground will remain fresh for about three months.
- Black pepper can be frozen, but its taste and aroma will be much more distinct and sharp.
Cooking with black pepper
Along with salt, black pepper is one of the most versatile spices. Used in all spicy dishes, used both ground and in grains. Used to season meat, milk, seafood, eggs, vegetables, milk, legumes, beverages and even fruits. It is best to grind it just before seasoning the dish.
Add the freshly ground pepper at the end of cooking. Since it loses its aroma and taste during longer heat treatments, always put it at the end of cooking, which will ensure a truly superb dish.
Black pepper is extremely important in the cuisines of China, USA, England, Greece, some parts of Asia, France and Italy. In terms of cooking options, it is again very versatile. It is suitable for baking, frying, stewing, steaming. However, it is most suitable for baking.
Black pepper is a very important ingredient of most of the curry mixtures / masala /, which are consumed all over the world, but are typical of South Asian and Indian cuisine. In addition to curry mixes, black pepper finds its place in other dishes of world cuisine - in marinades, poultry, pumpkin pie sauce, as a spice for smoked sausage, in the oriental mix of five spices and much more.
Benefits of black pepper
Improves the digestive process and the processes of the intestinal tract.
Black pepper stimulates the taste centers in such a way that a signal is sent to the stomach to increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid, which improves digestion. In addition, this spice has diaphoretic (increases sweat secretion) and diuretic (increases urination) properties.
Black pepper has demonstrated impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects - another great benefit to your health. Thus, this spice not only helps you get the most out of your food, but also the outer layer of its grains stimulates the breakdown of fat cells, keeping you weak, while providing you with energy to burn.
The reason it is so priceless lies not only in the aroma and spicy taste of black pepper, but also in the fact that it can hide the not so fresh look of the food that is served (something extremely useful before the appearance of the refrigerator and freezer).
An important benefit of consuming black pepper is its ability to slow down the aging of the brain. According to some studies, the spice successfully fights Alzheimer's disease.
Black pepper or its essential oil is believed to help smokers fight against smoking cessation. This is explained by the slightly burning effect that occurs after the consumption of pepper - so slightly resembles the feeling after smoking and reduces the desire for a cigarette. Of course, such an effect is slightly controversial, because it is not possible to eat pepper several times a day.
Consumption of black pepper helps with muscle pain and relieves muscle tension. Lubricating problem areas in the body with peppermint oil can significantly help relieve pain. This is due to the beneficial warming effect of piperine, which activates blood circulation.
Black pepper is among the most useful winter spices. It is an exceptional remedy for warming and actively fights colds. Reduces mucus formation in the nose and relieves unpleasant cough.
In traditional Chinese medicine, black pepper tea with honey is used to treat mild colds.
Black pepper stimulates digestion and helps with unpleasant conditions such as bloating, heartburn and gas. It acts against the processes of longer stay of food in the gastrointestinal system - the main cause of flatulence. If you suffer from such ailments, be sure to start season your food with black pepper.
Harm from black pepper
As it turned out, black pepper is a very useful and pleasant spice, but it can still cause some trouble. Its consumption is contraindicated in people who suffer from liver and urinary tract problems. Black pepper is especially dangerous for people with ulcers and gastritis because it can irritate the mucous membranes, which in turn can provoke bleeding. In case of upset and stomach pains, it is also good to bet on food without spices and especially without black pepper.
Weight loss with black pepper
Studies show that if you want to lose weight, you need to consume more black pepper. It is very effective in melting fat, a property due to its hot ingredient piperine. Piperine destroys fat cells and prevents the formation of new ones. Some researchers believe that piperine has a direct effect on certain genes, preventing the formation of new fat cells. In this way, over time, excess fat begins to disappear.
The food we eat should be not only healthy but also delicious. According to a number of studies the compound piperine in black pepper helps the body retain larger amounts of the important neurotransmitter serotonin. So not only people on a diet, but everyone else, should regularly season their food with black pepper to enjoy all its invaluable properties.
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