Black Pepper

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) is the most widely used spice in the world. Once known as ‘black gold’, it was used as a form of currency. Pepper contains the active component, piperine, which gives pepper its hot spiciness. In cooking, Black Pepper can be the dominant flavour, or be used to enhance and balance other flavours. It is known to help the body’s absorption of other phytochemicals, like curcumin from turmeric. Among the health benefits of Black Pepper are its antibacterial, antioxidant, and respiratory relief properties.

• Piper nigrum is the dried fruit of a flowering vine belonging to the family Piperaceae. • One of the world’s most commonly used spices, used in nearly every household, in every meal. • Pepper boasts antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. • Peppercorns are picked when red, and turn black as they dry out. • Native to Southern India, but now grown in tropical climates around the world. • Use dates back to at least 2000BC in India, with trade between India and the West as early as 1000BC. • Historically referred to as "black gold" and traded as a form of money.

Cooking with Black Pepper

• The spicy heat of black pepper comes from the active component piperine. • It is often paired with turmeric to enhance the absorption of curcumin. • Black pepper imparts a characteristic spiciness to food that is used to provide a depth of flavour. • It can be used to provide a dominant pepper flavour or as a compliment and balance to other flavours within food. • Pepper is susceptible to loss of flavour through evaporation. It is best stored in an airtight container for no longer than a few months.

Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses of Black Pepper

• It is known for its ability to reduce memory impairment and assist cognitive function. • Has antibacterial properties which help to fight infections. • Offers respiratory relief from nasal congestion and sinusitis. • High in antioxidants, helping to repair and avoid damage caused by free radicals. • Used as a digestive aid and can help with flatulence. It stimulates the taste buds, increasing the production of hydrochloric acid, improving digestion. • Can help to stimulate the skin to generate pigment. • Used in the treatment of peptic ulcers. • Used to promote weight loss. Piperine interferes with the genes responsible for fat production. • Used to promote urination and sweating to help rid the body of toxins. • Pepper oil derived from peppercorns has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a massage oil. • Oil used in beauty and herbal preparations. • Enhances bioavailability, increasing the nutritional value of other ingredients. • May decrease how well the body eliminates lithium, and may negatively impact on medications which are changed by the liver.

Blogs

5 Detailed Health Benefits of Black Pepper https://www.purefoodessentials.com/site-map/articles/80-all- blog/blog-posts/197-5-detailed-health-benefits-of-black-pepper

Health Benefits of Black Pepper https://www.purefoodessentials.com/site-map/articles/80-all-blog/blog- posts/191-health-benefits-of-black-pepper

A Balanced Spice Intake https://www.purefoodessentials.com/site-map/articles/80-all-blog/blog-posts/162- balanced-spice-intake

The King of Spices https://www.purefoodessentials.com/site-map/articles/80-all-blog/blog-posts/108-black- pepper-the-king-of-spices

Spices as Medicine https://www.purefoodessentials.com/site-map/articles/80-all-blog/blog-posts/241- spices-as-medicine-potential-alternative-therapies-for-cancer-treatment

Recipes

Spicy Red Cabbage Sauerkraut. How Do You Use Our Spices? https://www.purefoodessentials.com/site- map/articles/79-all-blog/recipes/267-spicy-red-cabbage-sauerkraut-how-do-you-use-our-spices

Haldi Seared Chicken https://www.purefoodessentials.com/site-map/articles/79-all-blog/recipes/133-haldi- seared-chicken-serves-4