Black pepper (Piper nigrum) which is a flowering vine whose fruit is dried and used as a spice and seasoning is a great ingredient for many kinds of dishes. The fruit of the plant is known as a peppercorn. They come whole or ground. Black peppers are native to India however Vietnam is the world’s largest producer and exporter of pepper.
White pepper consists of the seed of the pepper plant alone. These peppers are soaked in water for about a week and afterwards the outside flesh softens and it is removed and the naked seed is dried. Dishes that call for light-colored sauces, cream soups and such use white pepper usually ground since black pepper would be too visible.
From the unripe drupes of the pepper plant comes green pepper. It is dried in a way that retains its green color. Fresh unpreserved green pepper is used in some Asian cuisines especially Thai cuisine. It has a piquant, fresh flavor and a bright aroma.
Ripe red drupes which are preserved in brine and vinegar give us what is known as orange pepper or red pepper. The Peruvian pepper tree produces pink peppercorns.
Whole pepper corns are usually used in homemade soups, while ground black pepper can be added to just about any dish for some added spice. The spiciness of the pepper comes from a compound called piperine which is found on the outer fruit and in the seed. Since pepper loses its flavor and aroma through evaporation it is best kept in an airtight container.
Black pepper has also been used as a medicine. It was believed to cure diseases like constipation, diarrhea, earache, gangrene, heart disease, hernia, hoarseness, indigestion, insomnia, liver problems, lung disease, tooth decay and toothaches. There is no actual proof that pepper cured any disease but it is used in traditional Indian medicine.
The peppercorn is the most widely traded spice throughout the world. The price of pepper constantly fluctuates. Kochi, India is home to the International Pepper Exchange. The country that is the largest producer and exporter of pepper is Vietnam. Other pepper producing countries are India, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, China and Thailand.
So very interesting and saved .
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