Very few people would consider eating a superb meal without reaching for the pepper grinder. Salt and pepper are like night and day; they merge seamlessly,and are the foundation of seasoning. Pepper has a great deal of history behind it. It is known as the “King of Spices”, also the “Master Spice”, and was once known as an item of luxury . At one time it was used as a form of currency, with peppercorns being worth more than gold! Daughter’s dowries were endowed with pepper. “Down on their luck aristocracy” married beneath their class solely for the luxury of pepper. Man might have been the “salt of the earth” but without pepper he was worthless!
Pepper was first used around 4,000 years ago, originating from Southwest India. Nomadic Arabs introduced it with other superb spices and held the monopoly over it until the Greeks established trade routes with the East. Greeks held pepper in high esteem; being superb for medicinal purposes it had the blessing of Hippocrates. Romans used pepper on and in food and even built a market for spices on “pepper Street”. When America contended in world trade, Massachusetts was the import leader, with pepper being its finest and biggest commodity along with being the most luxurious.
Did you know the first millionaire in the country, Elias Haskett Derby, gained his fortune through the importation of pepper? Pepper continued to command a high price until The Dutch East India Company was formed. With the French and British establishing their own East India Companies this meant competition and finally the cost came down. Today pepper is still the “King”, accounting for one fourth of all the spice trade. It has the unique ability to liven up the finest foods yet not overpower flavors; and this ability makes it indispensable in some of the very best kitchens around the world. White and black peppers are the most popular choices. Black pepper, pungent and fiery, comes from the dried unripe berry, while white pepper is allowed to ripen a little more.
Pepper without a doubt is the hottest thing in the spice cabinet, while there may be spices with more luxurious names; pepper remains one of the spices and should not be sneezed at!
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