Peppercorn
The world’s most popular spice, peppercorn is used in virtually every country and has influenced the political landscape of the world’s strongest countries since the middle Ages.
During the middle Ages, merchant ships first brought peppercorns from the Orient. The spice immediately became popular and its demand was so great that it was even used as currency. It was so costly that it soon became a luxury affordable only to the wealthy. Today pepper is priced cheaply and almost every culture uses it. Pepper can be found on almost every table in western civilization.
Peppercorns come from the piper Nigrum plant; which is an evergreen climbing vine native to the Indian jungles of Malabar Coast. Black, white and green peppercorns all come from the same plant. The peppercorns are picked at different periods of ripeness to produce the different varieties of pepper. The peppercorn berries grow in thorny clusters on vines that reach over thirty feet. A vine will not yield a crop until after the third year and does not go into full production until around the seventh year.
Black pepper is produced by picking the peppercorns just before they reach ripeness. The berries are laid out in the sun for two or more days until they are shriveled and black.
White pepper is made from fully ripened berries. After they are picked they are packed in bags and soaked in water for over a week. Soaking softens the outer coating so that it can be removed to reveal the grey centers. They are then laid out into the sun where they are naturally bleached to white.
Green peppercorns are harvested when the berries are new. Once picked, they are then packed in brine. Green peppercorns offer a milder flavor than blank or white pepper.
Peppercorn’s unique taste has made its place in history, not just as a flavoring for foods, but as a high commodity that has influenced great nations such as Rome and England.