THE BLACK CURE:
The benefits of organic pepper:
A pinch of salt and a dash of pepper can bring about the transformation from insipid to edible. A hint of black pepper is added to almost every type of recipe imaginable. Easily ranked as the most popular of the spices, pepper once occupied a place in the monetary barter system as well as in religious sacrifices.
Pepper, the spice, comes from ground peppercorns. The pepper plant is a native to humid tropical climates. It is a smooth woody vine with clusters of white flowers. The flowers in turn evolve into berries known as peppercorns. It is not considered a seasonal plant and is therefore available throughout the year.
Peppercorns can be black, white or green, all though they come from the same plant, their variety lies in the differences in the periods when they are harvested and the manner in which they are handled. To make black pepper, the clusters are plucked when they are not quite ripe. They are then left in piles to ferment. To make white pepper, the berry is picked fully ripe. Its outer shrunken skin is rubbed off, exposing the dried, grayfish-white pepper inside.
Although white pepper is spicy than its black counterpart, it is not as complex, has a more delicate flavour and contains slightly less oil. High-quality peppercorns have more fruit notes and spice than generic ones. It is said that freshness is the key to high quality white pepper that turns bitter and stale faster than black pepper.
As far as its culinary properties are concerned, black pepper is used predominately in Asian and South Asian cuisines. It is also a key ingredient in American dishes to create a specific flavour. White pepper, on the other hand, is chiefly added in light colour European delicacies and white or cream based gravies and curries.
Black pepper has always held its position upon the pedestal in the field of medicine. Since the beginning of time it has been used as a cure for various ailments. Recent studies have shown that not can pepper block diabetic complications, serve as a potent antioxidant and combat colon cancer, it can reduce soreness, mask aches and void off arthritis. It also possesses the power to augment the bioavailability of nutrients from food and supplements.
All this makes sprinkling black pepper on food one of the easiest and most economical interventions people can make to boost their overall health status.
The health benefits of ground black pepper are known world over, agreed? But have you ever wondered where this spice acquires its potency?
The release of certain chemical compounds sooth swelling and other aches, giving it its anti-inflammatory qualities.
Black pepper has a carminative effect, i.e. it prevents the formation of gas and also brings about relief from flatulence.
The trade mark aroma of pepper is due to a chemical compound known as Piperine. This oil based amine alkaloid increases the functionality of the intestines by inducing the secretion of gastro-intestinal enzymes which in turn augment the digestive metabolism of the stomach and improves bowel movement.
The peppercorn is abundant in Vitamin C, which is vital in the prevention of scurvy, and Vitamin A, which is good for eyesight.
It also contains a vitamin B complex (riboflavin) that promotes the breakdown of complex sugars into glucose.
Pepper is a store house for flavonoids and anti-oxidants such as carotene which play a large role in fighting against cancerous cells.
Despite of its reputation as a natural decongestant, which helps irritate mucus membranes, produce watery mucus and give you runny nose to clear out nasal passages, the anti-bacterial components in pepper also help treat respiratory disorders.
Some lesser known properties of pepper are its natural cosmetic value.
Pepper is beneficial preventing dental problems like tooth decay and reliving tooth aches.
HAIR:
Pepper is a natural and effective treatment for dandruff. A regular solution of curd and crushed pepper, applied on to the scalp for 30 minutes and then washed off with only water, is the recommended treatment.
A mixture of lemon seeds and a teaspoon of ground pepper, if massaged into your scalp for 15 minutes on a regular basis, is guaranteed to give you lustrous, shiny and soft hair.
SKIN:
Black pepper is helpful in rejuvenating your skin and is a natural remedy for vitiligo (pigmentation and darkening of the skin). It can also work wonders in the elimination of wrinkles. Replace your regular scrubs and creams with a natural pepper scrub (orange oil, ground pepper and massage oil and sugar) and observe as the magic unfolds.
From currency to offering to a medical wonder pepper has both evolved and held its ground throughout the ages. Adding a dash of pepper to every meal not only helps improve both taste and digestion but your metabolism as a whole as well as your health.
However, like they say, too much of a good thing is bad. If taken in excess pepper can have a very irritating effect on the intestines. Not to mention, a dash of pepper can always induce an episode of sneezing.
As a conclusion I'd like to leave you with a few tips on how enrich your culinary experiences with pepper.
By Raju George http://www.natureandswami.com
The benefits of organic pepper:
A pinch of salt and a dash of pepper can bring about the transformation from insipid to edible. A hint of black pepper is added to almost every type of recipe imaginable. Easily ranked as the most popular of the spices, pepper once occupied a place in the monetary barter system as well as in religious sacrifices.
Pepper, the spice, comes from ground peppercorns. The pepper plant is a native to humid tropical climates. It is a smooth woody vine with clusters of white flowers. The flowers in turn evolve into berries known as peppercorns. It is not considered a seasonal plant and is therefore available throughout the year.
Peppercorns can be black, white or green, all though they come from the same plant, their variety lies in the differences in the periods when they are harvested and the manner in which they are handled. To make black pepper, the clusters are plucked when they are not quite ripe. They are then left in piles to ferment. To make white pepper, the berry is picked fully ripe. Its outer shrunken skin is rubbed off, exposing the dried, grayfish-white pepper inside.
Although white pepper is spicy than its black counterpart, it is not as complex, has a more delicate flavour and contains slightly less oil. High-quality peppercorns have more fruit notes and spice than generic ones. It is said that freshness is the key to high quality white pepper that turns bitter and stale faster than black pepper.
As far as its culinary properties are concerned, black pepper is used predominately in Asian and South Asian cuisines. It is also a key ingredient in American dishes to create a specific flavour. White pepper, on the other hand, is chiefly added in light colour European delicacies and white or cream based gravies and curries.
Black pepper has always held its position upon the pedestal in the field of medicine. Since the beginning of time it has been used as a cure for various ailments. Recent studies have shown that not can pepper block diabetic complications, serve as a potent antioxidant and combat colon cancer, it can reduce soreness, mask aches and void off arthritis. It also possesses the power to augment the bioavailability of nutrients from food and supplements.
All this makes sprinkling black pepper on food one of the easiest and most economical interventions people can make to boost their overall health status.
The health benefits of ground black pepper are known world over, agreed? But have you ever wondered where this spice acquires its potency?
The release of certain chemical compounds sooth swelling and other aches, giving it its anti-inflammatory qualities.
Black pepper has a carminative effect, i.e. it prevents the formation of gas and also brings about relief from flatulence.
The trade mark aroma of pepper is due to a chemical compound known as Piperine. This oil based amine alkaloid increases the functionality of the intestines by inducing the secretion of gastro-intestinal enzymes which in turn augment the digestive metabolism of the stomach and improves bowel movement.
The peppercorn is abundant in Vitamin C, which is vital in the prevention of scurvy, and Vitamin A, which is good for eyesight.
It also contains a vitamin B complex (riboflavin) that promotes the breakdown of complex sugars into glucose.
Pepper is a store house for flavonoids and anti-oxidants such as carotene which play a large role in fighting against cancerous cells.
Despite of its reputation as a natural decongestant, which helps irritate mucus membranes, produce watery mucus and give you runny nose to clear out nasal passages, the anti-bacterial components in pepper also help treat respiratory disorders.
Some lesser known properties of pepper are its natural cosmetic value.
Pepper is beneficial preventing dental problems like tooth decay and reliving tooth aches.
HAIR:
Pepper is a natural and effective treatment for dandruff. A regular solution of curd and crushed pepper, applied on to the scalp for 30 minutes and then washed off with only water, is the recommended treatment.
A mixture of lemon seeds and a teaspoon of ground pepper, if massaged into your scalp for 15 minutes on a regular basis, is guaranteed to give you lustrous, shiny and soft hair.
SKIN:
Black pepper is helpful in rejuvenating your skin and is a natural remedy for vitiligo (pigmentation and darkening of the skin). It can also work wonders in the elimination of wrinkles. Replace your regular scrubs and creams with a natural pepper scrub (orange oil, ground pepper and massage oil and sugar) and observe as the magic unfolds.
From currency to offering to a medical wonder pepper has both evolved and held its ground throughout the ages. Adding a dash of pepper to every meal not only helps improve both taste and digestion but your metabolism as a whole as well as your health.
However, like they say, too much of a good thing is bad. If taken in excess pepper can have a very irritating effect on the intestines. Not to mention, a dash of pepper can always induce an episode of sneezing.
As a conclusion I'd like to leave you with a few tips on how enrich your culinary experiences with pepper.
- Pepper has a tendency to lose its flavor and aroma if cooked for too long, hence it is advised to add it near the end in order to leave its flavor intact.
- Simple salad dressing: olive oil, lemon juice, salt and cracked pepper
- The pungent taste of black pepper beautifully compliments the flavor of any red meat especially venison and steak.
By Raju George http://www.natureandswami.com
