Black Pepper (Whole)
Botanical name: (Piper Nigrum)
Also Known As: Peppercorn black
Black pepper is one of the oldest used spices in the world. Along with cardamom and cinnamon, black pepper is from the Malabar region of India is what prompted the 'spice runs' of the 18th century European kingdoms, and lead to several voyages and the discovery of America.
Black pepper is thermogenic, bitter, diuretic, digestive, stimulant, and carminative. It gives protection from infectious diseases and also helps prevent regular re—occurrence of diseases. It also helps altering affected metabolism and body functions. It is also useful in fever, cough, cold, indigestion, anorexia, gas, dysentery, and asthma.
Black pepper?s primary use is well known around the world, and is vital to our modern culinary creations. Pepper gets its spicy heat mostly from the piperine compound, which is found both in the outer fruit and in the seed. Black pepper contains between 4.6% and 9.7% piperine by mass, and white pepper slightly more than that. The outer fruit layer, left on black pepper, also contains important odor—contributing terpenes which give citrusy, woody, and floral notes.
Pepper loses flavor and aroma through evaporation, so airtight storage helps preserve pepper's original spiciness longer. Pepper can also lose flavor when exposed to light, which can transform piperine into nearly tasteless. Once ground, pepper's aromatics can evaporate quickly; most culinary sources recommend grinding whole peppercorns immediately before use for this reason.
Spice mills such as pepper mills were found in European kitchens as early as the 14th century, but the mortar and pestle used earlier for crushing pepper have remained a popular method for centuries after as well.
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We at eSutras do not recommend internal use of supplements or herbs without prior consultation with your doctor or herbalist.
