OverviewA pinch of black pepper is added to almost every type of recipe imaginable. Once used as currency and presented to the gods as a sacred offering, it is fortunate that this most popular of spices is available throughout the year.
Black pepper comes from the pepper plant, a smooth woody vine that can grow up to 33 feet in hot and humid tropical climates. They begin to bear small white clustered flowers after 3 to 4 years and develop into berries known as peppercorns. Ground peppercorns produce the spice we call pepper.
Black pepper comes from the berries of the pepper plant. Black
pepper, green pepper and white peppercorns are actually the same fruit (Piper nigrum); the difference in their color is a reflection of varying stages of development and processing methods.
Black peppercorns are made by picking the pepper berries when they are half ripe and just about to turn red. They are then left to dry which causes them to shrivel and become dark in color. Alternatively, green peppercorns are picked while still unripe and green in color, while white peppercorns are picked when very ripe and subsequently soaked in brine to remove their dark outer shell leaving just the white pepper seed.
Pink peppercorns are actually from a completely different plant species (Schinus molle) that is related to ragweed.
Black pepper is the most pungent and flavorful of all types of
peppers and it is available as whole or cracked peppercorns or ground
into powder.
Health Benefits
Black pepper (Piper nigrum)stimulates the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to to the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, thereby improving digestion. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other food components in the stomach. When the body's production of hydrochloric acid is insufficient, food may sit in the stomach for an extended period of time, leading to heartburn or indigestion, or it may pass into the intestines, where it can be used as a food source for unfriendly gut bacteria, whose activities produce gas, irritation, and/or diarrhea or constipation.
Black pepper has long been recognized as a carminitive, (a substance that helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas), a property likely due to its beneficial effect of stimulating hydrochloric acid production. In addition, black pepper has diaphoretic (promotes sweating), and diuretic (promotes urination) properties.
Black pepper has demonstrated impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects--yet another way in which this wonderful seasoning promotes the health of the digestive tract. And not only does black pepper help you derive the most benefit from your food, the outer layer of the peppercorn stimulates the breakdown of fat cells, keeping you slim while giving you energy to burn.
Food Rating System ChartBlack Pepper, whole peppercorns 2.00 tsp 5.80 grams Calories: 15 GI: very low | ||||
| Nutrient | Amount | DRI/DV (%) | Nutrient Density | World's Healthiest Foods Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 0.74 mg | 37 | 45.7 | excellent |
| Vitamin K | 9.49 mcg | 11 | 13.0 | excellent |
| Copper | 0.08 mg | 9 | 11.0 | very good |
| Fiber | 1.47 g | 6 | 7.3 | very good |
| Iron | 0.56 mg | 3 | 3.8 | good |
| Chromium | 0.93 mcg | 3 | 3.3 | good |
| Calcium | 25.69 mg | 3 | 3.2 | good |
| World's Healthiest Foods Rating | Rule |
|---|---|
| excellent |
DRI/DV>=75% OR Density>=7.6 AND DRI/DV>=10% |
| very good |
DRI/DV>=50% OR Density>=3.4 AND DRI/DV>=5% |
| good |
DRI/DV>=25% OR Density>=1.5 AND DRI/DV>=2.5% |
