Commonly named as Peppercorns, but its native name calls it as 'Kurumulagu or Nalla Mulagu' - Milagu, Kali Mirch, Mira. Peppercorns are indigenous to South India specifically Kerala and it founds its way throughout the world. This Black Gold was once considered to be one of the most expensive spice and the term "Pepper Expensive" is used for the most expensive & prohibited items.
Peppercorns have a wonderful aroma and an enticing warm, spicy flavour. The Peppercorns can be either added whole or ground into a variety of dishes, marinades and sauces. It's widely used in the Cuisines Around the World.
Black Pepper is called the "King of Spices" as it is an amazing spice traded around the world since ancient times. Traded mainly for its desirable pungent nature. It is valued as a Spice and also as a Medicine. Ground, dried and cooked Peppercorns have been used since antiquity, both for flavour and as traditional medicine. This spice has loads of Health Benefits.
- Rich in Vitamin B and produces Calcium
- It consists of Potassium that helps in regulating heart rate and high blood pressure.
- Helps in producing red blood cells
- Detoxifies your body
- Cleanses your intestines and stomach
- Prevents constipation
- Prevents cancer
- Prevents skin deformation & wrinkles
- Helps in losing weight
Black Pepper is a good source of Proteins, Vitamins & Minerals. It is also rich in antioxidants which help protect cells from damage.
TYPES OF PEPPERCORNS:
Black Peppercorns
The most common variety of Black peppercorns are Ripe Green Peppercorns that have then been left out to dry in the sun. Enzymes in the berries cause the skin to turn black during the drying process.
They have the strongest & the most pungent flavour. Freshly ground Peppercorns along with Salt are ideal for seasoning pretty much anything. There are many varieties, including the Kerala Peppercorns which has a pungent and sharp taste; Brazilian Peppercorns have a harsh taste whereas the Indonesian variety has a citrusy note & it is mild compared to the other varieties.
Green Peppercorns
Green Peppercorns are unripe Peppercorns picked at the same stage of ripeness as for Black Peppercorns. But these are not allowed to dry. Sometimes they are dehydrated which makes it more flavourful.
Green Peppercorns are slightly spicy and aromatic, they’re great for flavouring sauces for meat dishes. Their flavour and spiciness are less concentrated than black peppercorns and are considered the least pungent of the peppercorns. Green Peppercorns are commonly preserved in brine or vinegar.
White Peppercorns
White Peppercorns are the mature Peppercorns that are allowed to ripen to a red colour before being picked. After harvesting, they are soaked and then the outer skin is removed, revealing a smooth white underlayer. They are then dried and bleached under the sun.
They have a fiery, but a less pungent taste. White Peppercorns and White Pepper Powder are good for seasoning light coloured Dishes & Sauces. They are widely used in Asian Cuisine. White Peppercorns serves the purpose by mildly spicing the dish with the required Peppery feel.
Red Peppercorns
When Peppercorns are left to fully ripen on the vine they turn into a brilliant shade of red. Red Peppercorns are rare to find. Typically they are dried which develops a black coat or when the skin is removed from it what we get is White Peppercorns.
Red Peppercorns are very expensive and are usually used in gourmet food.
Pink Peppercorns
Pink Peppercorns
These aren’t actually Peppercorns. They come from the Baies rose plant imported from Madagascar. Pink Peppercorns are expensive. Pink peppercorns are pungent and slightly sweet with fruity and floral notes.
They are not as flavorful as the real Peppercorns but still have a peppery bite, they also have They’re best for garnishing. Pink Peppercorns are very delicate, so experts suggest crushing them in a spice grinder or with a knife rather than a pepper mill.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACK PEPPER
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| BLACK PEPPERCORNS |
Black Peppercorn is a potluck filled with not just the pungency but it caters a plethora of health benefits. Though it's a part of ancient Indian heritage, it plays a major role in Ayurveda and in Traditional Chinese Medicine too. It is widely sued for its medicinal properties & culinary usage.
PREVENTS CANCER:
Black Pepper is said to prevent cancer when it is mixed with Turmeric. You can consume it by mixing both Black Pepper Powder and Turmeric Powder into fresh Cow Milk. This is a traditional home remedy followed by Indian women folks to get rid of gold & Phlegm. Black Peppercorns consist of antioxidants, Vitamin A and Carotenoids that help in curing Cancer and other deadly diseases.
AIDS DIGESTION:
Black Pepper aids digestion. When you consume Peppercorns hydrochloric acid is released by the stomach and helps in breaking down the proteins. Hydrochloric acid helps in cleaning your intestines and prevents you from other gastrointestinal diseases. This is the main reason that most of the meat dishes are seasoned/marinated with Black Pepper Powder.
PREVENTS CONSTIPATION:
Adding Peppercorns into your daily diet can help you relieve constipation. It also helps to prevent Colon Cancer, Diarrhoea and other intestinal bacterial diseases.
DETOXIFY YOUR BODY:
Consuming Black Pepper helps to sweat and urinate a lot. And thus it helps to discharge toxins from our body. Alternatively, it also burns fat. It also flushes out the toxins, free radicals and dangerous fluids which are harmful to our body. It is a great blood purifier and removes excess urea, calcium and other toxins from the kidney.
TREATS URINARY DISORDERS:
Ayurveda uses Black Pepper in treating Urinary tract infections and disorders such as cystitis, nephritis, and gonorrhoea.
AIDS WEIGHT LOSS:
The phytonutrients present in the spice helps in breaking down excess fat and also helps to improve metabolism. Adding Pepper in your daily diet can help you lose weight.
TREATS RESPIRATORY DISEASES:
Black Peppercorns are one best spice when it comes to treating respiratory diseases like Cold, &Cough. Black Pepper is one simple ingredient used by Indian women folks as a Home Remedy to treat Cold, Cough and to get rid of Phlegm.
ASTHMA:
Black Pepper is found to be highly beneficial in treating Asthma, Whooping Cough and Bronchitis.
IMPROVES BLOOD CIRCULATION:
Regular consumption of Black Pepper improves Blood Circulation. This reduces High Blood Pressure/Hypertension and also improves Cardio-vascular health.
REDUCES CHOLESTEROL:
The micronutrients in Black Pepper counteract with the surge of lipids in the body. The antioxidant enzymes help in controlling the cholesterol levels significantly.
REDUCES JOINT PAINS:
Black Pepper has medicinal properties that can alleviate joint pains & arthritis. It also helps to prevent Gout.
TREATS DEPRESSION:
Chewing Raw Peppercorns helps to release mood-inducing chemicals to the brain that will keep your mind calm and soothing. It has proven beneficial in elevating one's mood and also helps in treating Depression.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES - BEAUTY
Consuming this spice in the raw or cooked form are both good enough for your daily diet that will benefit your body and most importantly rejuvenate your skin.
SKIN ALLERGY: Due to its antibacterial properties, it is used as an antiseptic to treat skin problems.
SKINCARE: Black Pepper helps in removing blemishes from the skin and also improves the complexion. It also flushes out the toxins, free radicals and dangerous fluids which are harmful to our body, thus providing a clearer skin.
PREVENTS SKIN PIGMENTATION: Black Pepper protects the skin from any sort of skin pigmentation like Vitiligo where your skin appears to have white patches. It prevents skin pigmentation and also helps maintain the original colour of the skin.
PREVENTS WRINKLES & AGING SPOTS: Consuming Black Pepper from a very young helps to prevent Wrinkles and skin problems.age. It also prevents premature ageing and dark spots too.
TREATS ACNE: Black Pepper helps to flush away the intoxicants from the body and also helps to smoothen the skin.
HAIR CARE: Anti-oxidative properties in Black Pepper provide nourishment to the scalp and hair follicles. Antibacterial properties prevent the scalp from infections and irritation. It also proves to be beneficial in treating Dandruff. Black Pepper strengthens the roots and prevents hair loss. It also provides shine and lustre to the hair.
CULINARY USES:
Peppercorns can be used in whole or in ground form in a variety of dishes. Freshly ground Peppercorns has a strong, unique spicy-sweet taste and they are more aromatic. Most recipes call for Black Peppercorns. It is one major component in most of the Spice Mixes too. It's widely used in Spicy dishes, Marinades, Sauces & Soups. It is also used while in beverages like Tea and Coffee.
- Peppercorns are one of the main ingredients in Garam Masala Powder & Kitchen King Masala, a combination of spices used in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in Indian Cuisine. It is also used in the preparation of Curry/Masala Powders, Rasam Powders and Spice Mixes commonly used in Indian cooking.
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Sukku Malli Coffee - a native brew prepared with ground Dry Ginger, Coriander Seeds, Peppercorns, Cloves & Cardamoms and then served sweetened with Palm Sugar is one beverage with a rejuvenating nature and loads of health benefits aiding digestion of the food side by side. A simple tea prepared with freshly ground Peppercorns, sweetened with Honey and served with a dash of lime is one best home remedy to relieve Cold, Flu and Sore throat.
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Black Pepper Tea - Ground Pepper Powders can be added to tea or coffee to impart a pleasant and soothing effect. It serves as a good home remedy for sore throats, cold & flu.
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Turmeric & Black Pepper Milk - A drink prepared by mixing Pepper Powder & Turmeric Powder to Milk is one good home remedy to get rid of Cold & Phlegm. It also has proven benefits in preventing Cancer.
- Black Peppercorns are mainly added to Biriyanis & Pulaos, Indian Stews, Curries, Kormas, Dhals, Kebabs, Cutlets etc., It enhances the flavour of the dish along with other spices.
- Peppercorns can be used while making Non-Vegetarian Curries like Kerala Style Pepper Chicken, Chettinad Chicken Kuzhambu, Kongu Style Mutton Kuzhambu, Chicken Pepper Fry, Pichu Potta Kozhi, Nattu Kozhi Kuzhambu etc., & etc.,
- Peppercorn is one main ingredient in South Indian Rasams.
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Thandai Masala Powder a combination of homemade sweet drink uses Peppercorn as one ingredient in it.
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Ground Pepper Powder can be used to flavour foods like Soups, Patties, Stews, Purees, Sauces etc.,
- Whole Peppercorns & Pepper Powder can be used in Rice dishes like Ven Pongal, Fried Rice.
- Black Peppercorns. Pepper Powder can be used in the marinades while grilling Chicken or Lamb. Black Pepper Powder enhances the flavour of Tandoori Chicken, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Honey Roast Chicken etc.,
HOME REMEDIES WITH BLACK PEPPER:
Cold & Cough:
- Black Pepper Tea - Make a simple concoction by adding 1/2 Tspn of Black Pepper Powder & boil it, can also add Ginger/Dry Ginger to it, sweeten it with honey & drink this Black Pepper Tea hot.
- Turmeric & Pepper Powder Milk - Add 1/2 Tspn of Black Pepper Powder & a pinch of Turmeric to fresh Cow Milk and boil it. Consume it hot or lukewarm for best results. This drink is best to get rid of Cold and Phlegm.
- Black Pepper Powder & Honey - Add a teaspoon of Pepper Powder to 1 Tablespoon of Honey. This is one best home remedy to get rid of Cough and also helps to prevent Chest congestion.
- Use Black Pepper & Black Pepper Powder in your dishes for a daily of Black Pepper in your diet. Especially during Winter, it is best to induce Black Pepper in your daily diet which can help you stay healthy and prevent yourself from different diseases.
For a detailed Recipe on
HOW TO MAKE PEPPER POWDER, click here...
NOTES :
Black Pepper is a wonder spice. It can be used as a standalone Spice or used along with other spices. Compared to other Spices, Black Pepper tends to retain its flavour & aroma even after a long time of storage. Buy dry Black Peppercorns free from moist or any white patches. Store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to extend its shelf life. And use freshly ground Black Pepper for the best of flavour & aroma.
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*DISCLAIMER:
Please remember these options are only meant as guidelines and in no way replaces the advice or treatment provided by your medical practitioner. It is always good to seek the advice of your physician for professional advice in any matter related to your health. This is for information purposes only.
