When purchasing peppercorns, try looking for a source that offers fresh peppercorns versus those that may have been sitting around for a while. Having an earthy scent, freshly ground is the way to go, and you can find a pepper mill that offers different sizes from fine to coarse. Kevin Fernandez from Rafi's Spiceboxand co-author of The Rafi's Spicebox Cookbook, says,"Pepper is a vital ingredient in almost all Indian cuisine, but some dishes stand out by making it a star, providing a different kind of heat to chilli. As with all Indian food, the same dish may vary greatly between regions. For example, our Mulligatanni (‘Mulliga’ meaning pepper, and ‘tanni’ meaning water) is made in a Keralan style, with a coconut element that mellows out the pepper to a degree. To give it a try, start with mapo tofu– a rich and comforting pork and tofu stew that’s flavoursome and warming. Sichuan pepper also brings vegan side dishes like dry-fried beans to life with some serious zing. And for a dinner party centrepiece, you can’t go wrong with a Sichuan hotpot. You’ve decided on the perfect pepper grinder and it has arrived on your doorstep. But you certainly don’t want to fill your shiny new toy with old, stale peppercorns!

Just as there are several types of gourmet salt, peppercorns also come in distinctly different varieties, colours, intensities and flavour profiles to the standard grinds in tabletop pepper mills making them suited to different dishes ... think succulent steak in green peppercorn sauce, pink peppercorns on tuna carpaccio, or white pepper in a béchamel sauce.Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America studied piperine’s effect on obesity and diabetes. What the researchers found was that piperine helps the up-regulation of the metabolic rate of resting muscle, which in turn can mitigate obesity and diabetes, making it effective in combating obesity and making it excellent for any diabetic diet plan. ( 7) 4. Help Reduce Weight Consumption of the fruit should not exceed small amounts for use as a spice. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. Note: Be sure to avoid Schinus molle/terebinthifolius derived products if you have nut allergies; they are related to cashew and other nut bearing trees. If you notice symptoms, such as hives, tingling or itching inside your mouth; abdominal pain; diarrhea; nausea and vomiting; wheezing; congestion; dizziness and lightheadedness, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Other symptoms include swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth and throat, which may constrict your airways. Seek help immediately if experiencing any of these symptoms. Final Thoughts Another form of pepper water is the stronger, thinner Rasam, which is much more like a digestive drink than a curry sauce, and is traditionally served at the end of a meal with a ball of boiled rice."

Just like coffee beans and grapes, the climate and soil of the place where the vines are grown will greatly affect the flavor, as will the ripeness and processing of the fruit.

More Pepper=Less You

Piper nigirum is now grown in various parts of the world that have tropical climates, with the highest production and export coming from Vietnam. Because these dried pink berries look a lot like traditional peppercorns, they are often still referred to as a pink version of pepper. Peppercorns typically come from the common tropical plant, Piper nigirum. This is a woody, flowering vine that has been used since ancient times and originated from India, which has been known to grow up to 30 feet in the hottest climates.