Typically every recipe needs that little bit of pepper. What we know as pepper, or peppercorns, is actually the fruit from the black pepper flowering vine. Today, black pepper is the world’s most traded spice. Love, appreciate, and utilize the pepper!
You can buy black pepper whole, crushed, or ground into powder. Buy whole peppercorns and grind them yourself right before you add to your recipe for the most flavor. Whole peppercorns should have a bit of weight to them and lack imperfections.
Black pepper is best stored in a tightly sealed glass container in a dark, dry and cool place.
Whole peppercorns will last a lifetime, but ground pepper will only keep for around three months. If you want a more pronounced pepper flavor, try freezing it!
Use finely crushed black pepper to garnish inventive cocktails like Gin & Tonic with cucumber and pepper!
For a simple and unique summer salad try freshly cracked black pepper over strawberries.
Add some spice to your chocolate chip cookies. The combination of espresso, salt, black pepper and cinnamon in your cookie dough makes for a tangy and savory chocolate dessert.
Sprinkle black pepper in cracks and corners can help deter ants from entering your home.
Pepper loses its flavor when cooked for too long, so add it to a dish near the end. Always use fresh cracked pepper to get the fullest flavor.
Keep a pepper mill by your stove or on your dining room table to finish dressing any meal.
When choosing a pepper mill, go for wood over plastic. Plastic will wear out faster and can break off into bits.
Black pepper is a great source of the following: magnesium, vitamin K, copper, and dietary fiber.
Black pepper and honey can help relieve respiratory congestion.
Black pepper can aid digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes when it hits your tongue.
Drink a mix of honey, turmeric, hot water and a good amount black pepper to treat body aches.
Corrections or improvements? Email us at
content@sidechef.com