Well, it’s Sunday and that means it’s…..
This is the fourth Sunday of June so it’s time to learn about the 4th featured spice of the month: Black Peppercorns. First I’d like to share some fun facts about pepper I found.
- Pepper is the number one selling spice in America
- Pepper comes in many colors, (green, black, red and white) but they all come from the same plant. The ripeness and how it was processed determines the color.
- Pepper is native to India and grows as a tall vine with the peppercorns as flowering drupes – but Vietnam is currently the largest producer and exporter of black peppercorns.
- It has been used in cooking for over 2000 years!
- In the past pepper was mostly eaten by the wealthy because it was so expensive … it was often referred to as “black gold”
- In the Middle ages a mans wealth was measured by his stock pile of pepper and peppercorns were accepted in lieu of money for doweries, rent and taxes.
- Pepper loses its flavor and aroma through evaporation so its best to keep it in an airtight container
- Whole peppercorns can be stored in a cool, dark place for about a year. Ground pepper will keep its flavor for about 4 months.
- Consider using whole peppercorns and grinding just before use to maintain flavor and add near the end of cooking
I am sure that everyone is familiar with black pepper. However once you’ve enjoyed freshly ground black pepper, from peppercorns, you’ll really LOVE this spice!
Pepper is probably one of the most universal spices. The question is not “What goes well with black pepper?” the question is, ” What doesn’t go well with black pepper?” If you don’t own a pepper mill, pick one up today…..you’ll truly enjoy black pepper even more!
Liz
My husband eats pepper on everything!! Thats the running joke at our house, what doesn’t pepper go on!
Bruce Morgan
Nice article. I am the owner of Pepper-Passion (www.pepper-passion.com)and know a bit about pepper. I would say the whole peppercorns stored correctly (cool and dry) will hold their flavor for many years with no fixed upper limit. Conversely, ground pepper will begin losing flavor and aroma immediately after being ground. It will be noticeable to a sensitive nose within an hour and just go downhill from there. After a few months it will be junk. That is why I say there is not such thing as gourmet ground pepper.
Bruce Morgan