What Is Pepper? Compulsory Flavoring In Cooking
There are various spices that can be used to add a spicy taste. One of them is pepper. Pepper is generally added to cooking spices or just for marination. The addition of pepper can make the dish taste spicier. However, the spicy taste is different from chili. The spiciness of pepper has its own characteristics.
This plant grows vines and requires support to support its growth. The leaves of this plant are single leaves with a round shape but a tapered tip. Meanwhile, pepper flowers are compound flowers in the form of grains with a length of about 3.5-22 centimeters. Pepper generally blooms twice a year, before it rains. This flower will later turn into small green grains. The fruit will turn bright red and have wrinkled skin once it is fully ripe. When a pepper has this appearance, it is prepared to be processed into spice.
Herbs that are fit for consumption are produced by the processing of pepper. However, other peppers are also utilized. Even green pepper may be converted into spices for cookery. Farmers may grow the four pepper varieties—black pepper, white pepper, red pepper, and green pepper—from a single pepper or pepper tree. These four varieties of pepper have distinctive flavors due to the various processing methods.
White Pepper : Uses
- White pepper can be used in recipes.
- White pepper can be used to improve the flavor of food. White pepper has a unique scent. Pepper may often improve the aroma of food by either being present or absent.
- White pepper could be used in substitute of black pepper. White pepper can mix with cooking, unlike black pepper, which can be seen clearly on some dishes. For instance, unlike black pepper, white pepper cannot change the color of cream soup.
- White pepper can increase the heat and spice in food. White pepper can be used in little amounts to add a hot and spicy kick to some spicy meals. Different meals will react differently to the addition of white pepper.
- Any type of meat can have the fishy scent removed with white pepper. Pepper is frequently used in marinades. To get rid of fishy flavor and smell on chicken, beef, or fish, the meat will be kept in a salt and pepper marinade.
- White pepper is a natural flavour that can be used. White pepper can be added as a natural flavoring because of its distinctive flavor. White pepper can improve the flavor of food.
White Pepper : Side Effect
Everything you consume in excess always has a negative impact on you. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t consume too much white pepper:
- To lower the chance of miscarriage, pregnant women are advised not to consume large amounts of white pepper.
- Avoid applying white pepper straight to skin because it might irritate sensitive skin and make it red and swollen.
- An inflamed throat is one of the negative effects of consuming white pepper in excess. This is caused by the piperine, which gives off a fiery and spicy feeling.
- Some of the characteristics of white pepper include a hot and spicy sensation. Overeating white pepper can give you a burning sensation in your stomach. Additionally, the lips and esophagus will sting.
Before consuming, especially if you have a particular health issue, see your doctor. Using white pepper responsibly and in moderation will help you get its amazing benefits.
White Pepper : Benefits
- Relieve nasal congestion
Natural decongestant properties of white pepper can be used to thin out mucus buildup in the respiratory system. To benefit from white pepper, you can add it to your favorite soup, like chicken soup.
- Prevent cell toxicity
One of the reasons why our body’s cells get damaged is due to free radicals. You need to consume antioxidants if you want to avoid it. Antioxidants are known to be plentiful in white pepper. White pepper is also recognized to have anti-inflammatory properties that can stop cell damage.
- Treat arthritic pain
In addition to possessing antibacterial characteristics, white pepper’s piperin concentration has anti-inflammatory effects that can lessen arthritis sufferers’ inflammatory and painful symptoms. Even so, animal testing is still a part of this study.
- Manage blood glucose levels
Diabetes type 2 may be prevented by oil in pepper. According to study, white pepper’s piperine concentration can lower blood glucose levels. Even so, animal testing is still a part of this study.
History of The Pepper Plant
Black pepper and white pepper have both been farmed for a very long period. Unfortunately, it is unclear exactly when and who discovered this spice plant. According to a Made Astaman book titled “Healthy With Spices,” which was released by Kompas, pepper has been a part of Greek culture since 372 BC. Columbus later discovered pepper plants blooming in West India in 1492. Since that time, pepper has increased in importance in the global spice trade. Pepper was even used as a source of wealth, alongside gold and gemstones, in Genua and Venice.
Development of Pepper in Indonesia
According to P Swantoro’s book “Pepper Trade on XVII Century,” which was released by the Gramedia Popular Library, Chinese writers first started writing about Indonesian pepper in the 15th century. However, Indonesia was the first place where this plant arrived and started to grow after the 16th century.
According to a Made Astaman book titled “Healthy With Spices,” which was released by Kompas, the Portuguese were the ones who first introduced pepper to Indonesia. The Portuguese who were then colonizing Indonesia brought this plant with them.
Since then, it has gained popularity as a spice. Many other nations coveted Indonesian pepper already in the 17th century. Western traders and local authorities reacted negatively to this and engaged in violence. The same is true of Western trading organizations like VOC and EIC.
Indonesia’s Pepper-Producing Regions
According to P. Swantoro’s book “Pepper Trade on XVII Century,” which was released by the Gramedia Popular Library, Lampung and the island of Sumatera all together have consistently produced the most pepper.
This area was able to generate roughly 39,000 tons of pepper even in the 17th century. Then, Lampung was able to make 45,000 ons in 1935.
Tropical climate in Indonesia is ideal for the growth and development of pepper. The two countries that produce the most pepper currently are Indonesia and India.
Form Of A Pepper Plant
A species of the piperaceae family is pepper. This plant can flourish in a tropical environment like Indonesia.
However, keep in mind that pepper plants do not develop into large trees. Pepper plants are vines that expand with the support of a stick support of some kind.
Twice a year, pepper can blossom. Before the rainy season, these flowers typically bloom. These flowers can develop into seeds in the future, which can then be used to make dried pepper or peppercorns.
Pepper Type
In Indonesia, pepper comes in many different of varieties. There are four types of pepper: black, green, white, and red. The four peppers have varied processing methods in addition to different colors. Each type of pepper has a unique flavor and aroma due to distinct processing methods. White pepper and black pepper are used more frequently in Indonesia than the other three forms of pepper. The utilization of seeds and flavor of the two varieties of pepper vary.
Farmers use ripe pepper seeds to make white pepper. In addition, white pepper processing takes longer and is more difficult. This is what differentiates the two items’ flavors and aromas. Black pepper, on the other hand, is actually created from uncooked seeds. White pepper has a milder flavor and scent than black pepper, whereas black pepper has a longer shelf life.
Red and green peppers are processed differently from other peppers. Both varieties of pepper are processed by dipping them into a vinegar or salt water solution. The way pepper seeds are used is different, however. Raw peppercorns are used for green pepper. Red pepper uses ripe pepper in the meanwhile. Red pepper generally has a greater flavor and scent than green pepper. However, neither is often used in Indonesian cuisine.
No comment