A Brief Guide to the History, Flavours, Health Benefits and Culinary Versatility of Pepper
Unlocking the pepper world. A walk through the varieties, health benefits, and versatility of pepper with the top-quality pepper collection from Abe Mart. Spice your knowledge now!
Pepper – Tiny Yet Too Mighty!
Have you ever wondered how a simple spice has kept its allure for centuries, from being revered in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties, to being used as seasoning and bottled as a fragrant? Today, we are opening the doors to the rich history, flavour, varieties, and interesting stories of the tiny spice called pepper.
So let’s first open the door to travel back in time to the rich history of pepper.
The Chronicles of Pepper: A Peek Through Time and Continents of Pepper’s Travels
Pepper is a well-travelled spice that journeyed through Europe, China, Persia, and Arab lands, luring taste buds along its routes. The popularity of the spice had shot through the roof and reached the ears of the wealthy and powerful worldwide, leading fleets of ships to set sail for southern India. The pepper ports of Malabar were bustling with foreigners as each wanted to retain a monopoly over the lucrative spice trade. The frenzy over the star spice earned itself the titles ‘Black Gold’ and ‘Black Pearls’. However, as the supplies to Europe increased, their prices declined and the spice moved from the status of cuisine of the rich to the tables of average means.
From the interesting history, now we will update the few varieties of pepper.
Exploring the Types of Pepper
There are different varieties of pepper. Some commonly used varieties include black pepper, white pepper, and green pepper. Black pepper has earned the prestige title of ‘King of spices’. It imparts a bold and pungent flavour. The white pepper flavour is more subtle and has less heat. Whereas, green pepper offers a fresh flavour with less spiciness. Their complex flavour and quality make them a preferred seasoning.
Speaking of quality, the Abe Mart platform has an excellent collection of pepper powder to pep up your dishes.
Abe Mart’s Spice Rack
Sourced from the Western Ghats of Kerala in the select plantations of Idukki, the pepper berries are expertly handpicked, dried, and ground in hygienic conditions to offer the utmost quality and flavour to consumers. They have become a staple and exciting sidekick to many dishes. The two varieties offered are:
- Black Pepper
Take your taste buds on a hot ride with the hot pepper! The bold punch with earthy notes in it can amp up your cooking. It is a great option for those inclined for some heat in their dishes.
Offering milder heat, this is an ideal choice for those seeking a subtle heat in their dishes. It is also suitable in cooking dishes where the specks of black powder are not visually desired.
The allure of pepper is not limited to its variety and flavour, but it also has something to do with its several health benefits.
The Health Benefits of Pepper
Pepper offers more than just flavour. Both black and white peppers share core health benefits. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve appetite problems and headaches. They also aid in weight management and protect heart health.
The old spice is also an acclaimed kitchen chameleon, easily dashing through various dishes. Up next: underscoring their versatility.
Dash of Heat for Delightful Dishes
Pepper is one of the widely used seasonings in cooking and has become the heart and soul of many zesty culinary creations. It’s not a surprise to see a dash of pepper on an omelette, or salads, and potatoes. Some even seem to enjoy the hit of pepper in their everyday cup of coffee or tea. The versatility of the spice has made it an ally in all kinds of dishes from soups, to vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights. Add dimension to your kitchen creations with the prized seasoning.
These mini spice balls also have a few exciting stories up their sleeve. Check them out in the next section.
Interesting Tales of Pepper
Here, let’s spice things up with some interesting facts.
- Pepper was so invaluable that it was used as collateral or even currency during ancient times.
- In Egypt, black peppercorns were used in the mummification ritual.
- Pepper is native to India.
- Pepper is a fruit from a flowering vine.
A Pepper-half in your kitchen
Before we wrap up, let’s quickly recap the key points discussed in this blog. Pepper, with its rich history, many varieties, and health benefits continues to sprinkle its charm with subtle and bold flavours in our dishes. Whip up masterpieces in the kitchen with this culinary gem. So, go ahead, and fire up your taste buds with a pinch of pepper!
Disclaimer: THIS BLOG/WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information contained in this blog is for educational and awareness purposes only. Under no circumstance should the information provided here be considered a substitute for professional medical help and should not be relied upon to treat or diagnose any medical condition. It is always advised to seek help from a qualified medical professional for your health conditions before relying on the content. Abe Mart does not accept any responsibility for any potential risk to the visitor/ reader.
