One of the most famous spices, which is used in everyday life for cooking various dishes, is ground black pepper. It gives the cooked dishes a unique appetizing aroma and a spicy finish, but, in addition, it has a number of properties important for the human body. In this article, we consider the description, useful and harmful characteristics, the caloric content of this spice, as well as the features of its application.

What is ground black pepper?

Ground black pepper is obtained from the fruits of a woody liana belonging to the family Peppers (Piperaceae). The exact name of the variety from which this spice is made is Piper nigrum. The plant belongs to perennial and evergreen, grows in many tropical countries.

Did you know? In the Middle Ages, black pepper pellets were used to weigh small items. A weight of 460 g was equivalent to the weight of 1000 grains of this spice.

Let us consider in more detail the description of the plant’s fruits and see how ground black pepper is obtained:

1. Freshly picked unripe fruits of the plant have a round shape and smooth skin.
2. Inside the fruit contains a white core. The color of the peas ranges from olive to black-brown.
3. After harvesting, the peas are dried in the sun, as a result of which their surface becomes wrinkled and becomes black.
4. In dried form, the fruits can already be used in food, adding them to the dishes as a whole.
5. Ground seasoning is obtained by grinding dried peas. As a result of this procedure, a dark powder with a characteristic spicy aroma and piquant taste is obtained.

Distribution history

The homeland of this spice is the South-West coast of India, there pepper in the 5th century BC. e. grew in the wild. The fruits of this plant were well known in the territory of ancient Greece and were very appreciated by the locals who considered this spice sacred and used it as money. This spice was not used as food, but was often used for religious ceremonies and offered to the gods as a gift. In Europe, this spicy seasoning was introduced in the 15th century.

Did you know? The Spaniards were the first Europeans to start growing peppers in the middle of the 16th century.

At that time it was considered an expensive delicacy, a monopoly acted on the import of the product. The ban on the import of spices into Europe was lifted only in the XVIII century, and after another 100 years it fell into the territory of Russia. Now the plant is grown not only in India, but also in Vietnam, Malaysia, Brazil and Indonesia. This allows you to have a spice crop all year round and bring it to all countries of the world.

Properties of ground black pepper

In addition to the characteristic pleasant taste and aroma, ground black pepper has many additional properties that can be useful for the human body. But before using this product for food, you need to not only learn how it is useful for the body, but also familiarize yourself with the list of harmful properties of spices.And if you are going to add this spicy seasoning to diet foods for weight loss, then you should also read the description of its energy value.

Important! Ground black pepper loses most of its useful qualities after 3 months after grinding, so for longer storage it is recommended to use only pepper peas.

Benefit

• The list of useful properties of this spice include:
• high content of trace elements and vitamins;
• digestion improvement;
• low calorie content;
• prevention of oncological diseases;
• strengthening the nervous system and stimulating the brain;
• prevention of stroke and heart attack;
• lowering blood pressure;
• effective remedy for the treatment of colds;
• wound healing and disinfection;
• removal of toxins from the body;
• enamel protection;
• anthelmintic effect;
• stress management;
• metabolic stimulation;
• hair loss prevention;
• destruction of fat cells.

Possible harm and contraindications

• Let's take a closer look at how this product can be harmful:
• irritates the mucous membrane of the stomach;
• can reduce sexual desire as a result of a violation of the production of hormones, therefore it is not recommended in large quantities for men;
• may cause insomnia when consumed before bedtime;
• causes stomach discomfort in children under 12 years old.

Ground black pepper is contraindicated in such cases:

• diseases of the stomach, which may be accompanied by bleeding (gastritis, ulcer);
• individual intolerance to the product;
• hypertension, anemia;
• inflammation of the bladder and kidneys.

Chemical structure and calorie content

Black pepper is a real repository of vitamins and minerals. A distinctive feature of the spice is that it contains a minimum of calories and can be used to prepare diet meals for people who are overweight. The calorie content of ground black pepper is 255 kcal per 100 grams of product.

The nutritional value of spices (BJU) is described below:

• proteins - 11 g;
• fats - 3.3 g;
• carbohydrates - 38.3 g;
• dietary fiber - 26.5 g;
• water - 10.5 g;
• ash - 4 g.

By chemical composition, this spice belongs to products containing a large amount of vitamins and nutrients:

• vitamins A, B, C, E, K, PP;
• macrocells - calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus;
• trace elements - manganese, iron, copper, fluorine and zinc;
• mono- and disaccharides;
• fatty acids - Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9, lauric and linoleic.

Application features

To many people, black pepper is known only as a spice that is used in cooking. But it can also be used in medicine and cosmetology to eliminate some diseases and problems. Proper use of this spicy spice will help to make the taste of cooked dishes the most vivid and rich, as well as achieve good results in the treatment of certain diseases. Consider the features of the application of spices in more detail.

In cooking

This spice is often used in cooking. In shops you can find black pepper coarse and finely ground. It is able to make the taste of the dish more spicy and rich, perfectly stimulates appetite. But in order to avoid the negative impact of this spice on the body, you can not abuse it too much.

Important! The daily intake of ground black pepper for an adult is 10 g.

Here are some basic secrets to storing and using black pepper for culinary purposes:

• It is best to use freshly ground pepper for cooking, as it has the most intense aroma and good taste;
• you need to store seasoning in a hermetically sealed glass jar, preventing it from getting wet;
• spice should be added to hot soups and broths at the very end of cooking;
• when frying fish or vegetables, the spice is added to the batter, with which the product is enveloped;
• to prepare baked or fried meat, it is pre-soaked for several hours in a marinade with the addition of black pepper;
• during the preparation of minced meat or fish, seasoning is added with salt;
• spice is used to make canned snacks for the winter.

In medicine

Due to its many beneficial properties, ground black pepper is often used in medicine and cosmetology.

Important! When using black pepper in folk medicine, it is recommended that you first study the list of contraindications and, if necessary, consult a doctor.

Spice is often used to prepare folk remedies for many diseases:

• for the treatment of cough and colds, it is advised to eat a pinch of ground spices, abundantly washed down with water;
• with digestive disorders or heaviness in the stomach, a product made from milk and ground seasoning helps;
• with respiratory diseases, as an additional medicine, you can use milk decoction of black pepper and turmeric;
• to treat radiculitis and eliminate joint pain, a remedy is prepared from olive oil and this spice, which is rubbed into sore spots;
• to eliminate inflammation of the skin, eczema and warts, use ointment from ghee and freshly ground spices;
• if you need to get rid of acne, you can rub a mixture of spices and yogurt into the skin;
• to relieve gum inflammation, mouthwashes containing this spice are used;
• spice is used to make anti-aging face masks and anti-cellulite creams.

Analogs and Related Products

Piper nigrum fruits are also used for the production of other spices with a piquant taste. The difference lies in the method of processing berries, which affects the color of the spices and taste of the resulting product.

There are 3 more types of spices that are analogues of black pepper and have similar characteristics:

1. White pepper. For its manufacture, ripened berries of the Piper nigrum shrub are used. They are soaked in water and peeled, and then thoroughly dried. This spice is distinguished by a special light spiciness, but has a mild aroma. It can be used in cooking for cooking meat and fish dishes, as well as hot white sauces.
2. Green pepper. To create this spice, Piper nigrum berries are harvested unripe and soaked in brine. After that, the fruits become softer, and their taste is less sharp. After soaking, the berries are exposed to high temperature to dry. Thanks to this treatment, the peas retain their green color. Spice has a spicy taste and strong aroma. It is used in cooking for preparing marinades and savory foods, as well as for decorating ready-made meals.
3. Red pepper. For its preparation, fully ripened berries of the Piper nigrum plant are harvested. Fruits are placed in saline without peeling them. This helps preserve the red color of the berries, thanks to which they are always used in cooking only in its entirety. This spice has a very pungent taste and is most often used for decorating dishes and cooking savory foods.

Ground black pepper has become a familiar ingredient in the preparation of many dishes. Knowing all the useful properties of this spice, you can most effectively use it for various purposes. You just need not to abuse too much this spice and know the rules for its use.