Pepper is a commonly used ingredient in almost every household and restaurants all over the world. Black peppercorns has its mention even in the ancient Ayurveda and are known to posses multiple health benefits.
In today’s article we will try to look at some of the interesting facts about this ‘black pearls’, but before that it is important to let you know that now you can buy fresh and premium spices online using oneapp. oneapp helps you to find nearest spice shops and vendors in your area and beyond and allow you to order from them online and get delivery at your doorstep. Download the app now.
10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PEPPERCORNS–
- The different colours in pepper indicate different levels of ripeness:
The black, white, red and green peppercorns are all derived from the same plant, but their ripeness and method of preparation varies. Black and green peppercorns are both unripe. Black peppercorn is cooked as well as dried. The white peppercorns are soaked in water to remove the skins and the red ones are left on the vine until the berries turn into bright red colour.
- Some peppercorns are not peppercorns:
Interesting, huh! The pink szechuan peppercorns are not actual peppercorns. These types of pepper are not derived from the Piper nigrum plant. The pink peppercorns generally come from a South American shrub and the szechuan peppercorns come from a prickly ash tree in China.
- Peppercorns are actually a fruit: Even though these are called pepper, peppercorns are no way related to the capsicum pepper plants which are sweet and spicy. These are actually the fruit of the plant Piper nigrum, known as a flowering vine in India. Peppercorns are actually a drupe, like peaches or cherries.
- Easy way to get the pepper out of the shaker:
Doesn’t it gets annoying when ground pepper gets clogged in the shaker? Instead of shaking it violently and turning the pepper shaker over, grab a salt shaker and rub the bottoms together in a circular movement continuously. The vibration allows the pepper to fall off those tiny holes, and the ground pepper will roll off within a few minutes.
- Grind the peppercorns fresh:
Try to use freshly ground black pepper everytime you are using it as it loses its pungent flavour when exposed to air just like most spices. The whole peppercorns have its outer shells that seals in the flavour and has a longer shelf life. When it’s ground, it becomes less flavourful and the aroma and flavour goes away within a month of grinding it.
- Having pepper has greater health benefits:
Peppercorns are known to contain a compound called piperine, which gives the berry its spicy flavour. Researchers have found out that this compound has greater health benefits such as relieving headaches and reducing inflammation. It also helps to boost our body’s absorption of another spice known as the curcumin which is found in turmeric.
- Peppercorn is good for digestion:
Peppercorns have certain digestive enzymes which help our body break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates effectively.
- Pepper is a powerful insect deterrent agent:
Black pepper is a popular chemical-free way to get rid of ants. No it won’t kill them but sprinkling black pepper near their entry holes will prevent them from entering inside. You may also spray a solution of black pepper mixed with water to keep bugs away from plants.
- Pepper is known as the king of spices:
Pepper happens to be one of the oldest and mostly traded spices in the world. Earlier, it used to be extremely expensive since it grew only in India and was costly to ship overseas. But today, it’s one of the most commonly traded spices in the world.
- Peppercorns were once used as currency:
Pepper was considered so valuable that it was worth more than gold by weight! Sources state that individual peppercorns were known to be accepted as currency in the Middle Ages, and there’s a rumour that the siege of Rome was lifted by a payment of gold, silver, silk and for a payment of about three thousand pounds of pepper.
Wanna know interesting facts about garlic too? Read here.
Do you like the flavor of peppercorn? Share with us in the comments below.
Read our article on: “Best Tiffin Service in Navi Mumbai“