Black Gold of Spices Black Pepper #facts #ediblegold #healthy #history #spice - Video

Ancient Spice of Kings: Black pepper has a history as rich and flavorful as its taste. In ancient times, it was so valuable that it was often referred to as “black gold.” Used as currency, tribute, and even in religious ceremonies, black pepper’s popularity was legendary1.
Peppercorn Origins: Black pepper comes from the dried fruit called peppercorn (piper nigrum). These peppercorns grow on a perennial flowering vine native to south India. The plant thrives in soil that is neither too dry nor too wet2.
Global Production: Accounting for about 20% of the monetary value of the world’s spice trade, black pepper is mainly produced in countries like India, Vietnam, Brazil, and Indonesia. Interestingly, the United States is the biggest consumer of pepper, importing a whopping 671 million dollars worth of it in 20092.
Peppercorn Processing: When the peppercorn plants reach maturity, the peppercorns are stripped from the stem and then boiled briefly before drying in the sun for several days. They are then flash dried. The distinctive flavor of black pepper comes from the chemical piperine found in the white center of the peppercorn2.
Varieties: There are different varieties of peppercorns:
White Peppercorns: These are black pepper without the skin.
Red Peppercorns: The most expensive variety occurs when the berries are left on the vine for longer than usual.
Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold (TGEB): This is considered the finest black pepper in the world and is purchased unsized (garbled)2.
Historical Significance:
Pepper has been used in cooking for over 4,000 years. It was even placed in Egyptian tombs to accompany pharaohs over 2,500 years before Christ.
During the Middle Ages, peppercorns were worth more than silver by weight. When the Visigoths sacked Rome, they demanded 3,000 lbs of black pepper as part of the ransom 3
Health Benefits: Black pepper is rich in both vitamin A and C. It also contains a high caffeine content2.
Culinary Tips:
For the best flavor, buy whole peppercorns and grind them right before eating.
Ground table pepper is typically a blend of 70% black and 30% white, but the good stuff is a perfect 50/50 mix.
Keep your pepper in an airtight container away from sunlight to preserve its flavor and aroma2.
Next time you sprinkle black pepper on your food, remember these intriguing facts! ????️????️