The name of black pepper is also included in the popular spices around the world. People like black pepper, which gives a pungent taste to food, because its harm is less, and the benefits are more. Dried and ground black pepper is one of the most common spices used in cooking in Europe.
Black pepper contains a chemical called pipeline, due to which its taste is pungent. Pepper is known to be beneficial to the gastrointestinal system. Apart from improving digestion, black pepper is also a powerful antioxidant. Therefore, eating it not only increases digestion capacity and helps in better absorption of food, but also helps in dealing with oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants) caused by the body's metabolism. The main benefit of consuming black pepper is that it helps in reducing weight and reducing cold and cough. Several studies state that black pepper can improve cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and brain and gut health. Black pepper is called the "King of Spices" due to its health-enhancing and flavor-enhancing properties.
Black pepper is prepared by drying the fruits of, belonging to the family Pepper. Black pepper is mainly grown in the South Western region of India which includes Kerala and parts of Mysore, Tamil Nadu and Goa to name a few. Interestingly, the entire chili growing region was once called Malabar, which is now popularly known as Kerala. Since ancient times, the Malabar, coast is known for the cultivation and import-export of chilies. From here chilies were exported to Indonesia, Malaysia and later chilies were cultivated in other countries as well.
Due to its pungent taste and health benefits, the price and demand of black pepper is very high in the international market.
Facts about black pepper:
Scientific name: Piper Nigerian L.
Common name: Black pepper
Geographical description: Mainly black pepper is related to South India. Black pepper was imported into the Red Sea region from ports in India during Roman times, and its origins were the eastern tropics. Black pepper is considered one of the oldest items in the spice trade globally. Black pepper is cultivated in South India and China. Apart from this, black pepper is also cultivated in East and West Indies, Malay Peninsula, Malay Archipelago, Siam, Malabar, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia etc.
Interesting fact: At present, the largest import of black pepper is done by the United States. In 2009, the United States imported pepper worth about Rs67.1 crore, which accounts for 18% of its total production in the world. During the Middle Ages, pepper grains cost more than silver by weight. Black pepper stimulates the taste buds and increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which helps in your better and healthy digestion. Most of the people think that excess of hydrochloric acid can cause digestive problems, but the interesting thing is that most of the digestive problems are due to deficiency of hydrochloric acid and not due to its increase. A little black pepper in food can help in digestion of food faster.
By improving digestion, black pepper relieves problems like abdominal bloating, dyspepsia, flatulence, abdominal gas and constipation.
Black pepper stimulates the taste buds and increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which helps in your better and healthy digestion. Most of the people think that excess of hydrochloric acid can cause digestive problems, but the interesting thing is that most of the digestive problems are due to deficiency of hydrochloric acid and not due to its increase. A little black pepper in food can help in digestion of food faster.
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