| Pepper, the King of Spices |
What is the most popular spice the world? Not surprising (although maybe to some) it is
pepper. Used as a spice for more than 4000 years, it was once so expensive, only the
very rich could afford to buy it. At one time, peppercorns were also used as currency.
Even today, the term peppercorn is used to denote a very small payment, used to satisfy
the requirements or "consideration" in the creation of a legal contract.
pepper. Used as a spice for more than 4000 years, it was once so expensive, only the
very rich could afford to buy it. At one time, peppercorns were also used as currency.
Even today, the term peppercorn is used to denote a very small payment, used to satisfy
the requirements or "consideration" in the creation of a legal contract.
The Western World owes a great deal to pepper. Explorers like Columbus sailed west in
search of trade routes to the Orient. Marco Polo opened land trade between Europe and
the Far East largely due to the demand for pepper. Thanks to Vasco de Gama, Portugal
enjoyed a virtual monopoly on pepper for a century or more, making it one of the richest
and most powerful nation of Europe.
search of trade routes to the Orient. Marco Polo opened land trade between Europe and
the Far East largely due to the demand for pepper. Thanks to Vasco de Gama, Portugal
enjoyed a virtual monopoly on pepper for a century or more, making it one of the richest
and most powerful nation of Europe.
However, peppercorns were not just a seasoning.
Egyptians used peppercorns in mummification,
inserting them in the nostrils. It was also used for
medicinal purposes, as a digestive aid and
expectorant. In some cultures, pepper as an
ointment was utilized to relieve skin irritations.
Pepper and pepper oils were to be found in the
essentials of every apothecary.
Egyptians used peppercorns in mummification,
inserting them in the nostrils. It was also used for
medicinal purposes, as a digestive aid and
expectorant. In some cultures, pepper as an
ointment was utilized to relieve skin irritations.
Pepper and pepper oils were to be found in the
essentials of every apothecary.
Known as the King of Spices and the Master Spice,
pepper is the single largest traded spice in the
world. In fact, it accounts for over one-fourth of the
world's spices trade. Every cook and gourmand can
appreciate the virtues of pepper. Where once it was
used to preserve and hide the taste of rancid meat,
today it is added to countless recipes, not to
mention its addition in everyday daily use as a
flavour enhancer on the dinner table.
pepper is the single largest traded spice in the
world. In fact, it accounts for over one-fourth of the
world's spices trade. Every cook and gourmand can
appreciate the virtues of pepper. Where once it was
used to preserve and hide the taste of rancid meat,
today it is added to countless recipes, not to
mention its addition in everyday daily use as a
flavour enhancer on the dinner table.
| Piperaceae-Pipernigrum Pepper Plant |
| Peppercorn Varieties |
Black, white and green peppercorns are all derived form the same plant - piper nigrum They
differ only in the manner in which they are harvested. The fruit (berries) of the piper vine
are hand-picked at different stages of the growing season, to yield black, white or green
peppercorns
Patience is required in the growing of the pepper vines. Crop yields are only realized in the
third year and it may take as long as seven years for the plant to reach full maturity and
bear maximum fruit. This characteristic, along with the labour intensive harvesting method
and the vast distances between production and market accounted for the rarity and
extreme value in early Europe.
Although pepper is available in a wide range of "grinds", the wise chef would grind pepper
immediately before using. Once ground, pepper can quickly lose its flavour and richness.
Many grinders offer the option to grind with a variety of mesh sizes (refers to the size of
the screen sifter through which the pepper will fall when ground)
Cracked pepper is very similar to peppercorns that have been slightly broken.
Coarse grind is small with a texture of reminiscent of Kosher salt.
Table grind is the most familiar of grinds, since this is the pepper found on the everyday
dinner table.
Fine grinds are simply as their name suggests - pepper ground to the consistency of fine
dust. This is the predominate grind for white pepper, whereas black, red and green
peppercorns are usually available in the complete mesh range
differ only in the manner in which they are harvested. The fruit (berries) of the piper vine
are hand-picked at different stages of the growing season, to yield black, white or green
peppercorns
Patience is required in the growing of the pepper vines. Crop yields are only realized in the
third year and it may take as long as seven years for the plant to reach full maturity and
bear maximum fruit. This characteristic, along with the labour intensive harvesting method
and the vast distances between production and market accounted for the rarity and
extreme value in early Europe.
Although pepper is available in a wide range of "grinds", the wise chef would grind pepper
immediately before using. Once ground, pepper can quickly lose its flavour and richness.
Many grinders offer the option to grind with a variety of mesh sizes (refers to the size of
the screen sifter through which the pepper will fall when ground)
Cracked pepper is very similar to peppercorns that have been slightly broken.
Coarse grind is small with a texture of reminiscent of Kosher salt.
Table grind is the most familiar of grinds, since this is the pepper found on the everyday
dinner table.
Fine grinds are simply as their name suggests - pepper ground to the consistency of fine
dust. This is the predominate grind for white pepper, whereas black, red and green
peppercorns are usually available in the complete mesh range
Red Peppercorns
Green Peppercorns
