Pepper holds an important place at the kitchen table and various cuisines. Have you ever wondered Where Does Black Pepper Come From? Let’s find out!
Tasting best with salt and popular in mini shakers or mills on most dining tables, Black pepper is one of the most common spices in the world. It is famous for both flavoring food and medicinal values. This spice has been around for thousands of years and people prefer it while cooking all kinds of cuisines. So, if you are thinking from Where Does Black Pepper Come From, you’re at the right place!
Check out our article on making pepper plants hotter here
Where Does Black Pepper Come From?
Black Pepper comes from a flowering vine called Piper Nigrum in the family of Piperaceae. The green, wide-leaf vine is native to India but is now grown in most tropical regions. Vietnam is the largest producer and exporter, totaling around 35% of the world’s supply, followed by India, Indonesia, and Brazil. Black pepper is widely popular in North America and research confirms that 400,000 tons of black pepper is consumed every year globally and this number is steadily rising.
Peppercorn, the fruit of the plant, is small in size with thin skin and single seed. The fruit is harvested and dried during different seasons to produce black, white, and green pepper for spice and seasoning.
- Black peppercorns: Dry and unripe fruits.
- White peppercorns: Seeds of the dried, ripe fruits.
- Green peppercorns: Dry, unripe fruits, preserved in order to retain color and flavor.
Pink pepper is the product of pink peppercorns and actually comes from the Peruvian pepper tree, which relates to cashews and other tree nuts. It has no relation to Piper Nigrum.
Benefits of Black Pepper
Black pepper has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that make the spice extremely healthy. The following are the ways in which it benefits us.
1. Antioxidant Properties
Free Radicals form in body while exercising and digesting food. However, their excess can be harmful and may lead to heart diseases, premature aging, inflammation, and even cancer.
Black pepper has a compound called piperine in abundance, which is known to have antioxidant properties. So, it can be helpful to delay and even prevent the damaging effects of free radicals.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Studies have found that Piperine can fight inflammation and is beneficial for people suffering from arthritis and diabetes.
3. Facilitate the Absorption of Nutrients
Black Pepper has piperine, the alkaloid component of Piper Nigrum. It boosts the absorption of important nutrients like calcium and selenium.
4. Helps in Digestion and Weight Loss
Studies have suggested that piperine, the main compound of Black pepper may help in improving blood-sugar metabolism, beneficially influence cellular thiol status, antioxidant molecules, and antioxidant enzymes. All these aids in digestion and maintaining weight.
5. An All-Purpose Spice!
Found in mostly all households and on the table of restaurants all around the world, black pepper can easily be paired with almost anything. It also goes well with other commonly available spices to enhance the taste of vegetables, meat, fish, and more!
