Well, Hello there!!! I am so pleased that you stopped by to visit!
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For the past many years I have had an interest...no, make that a fascination with herbs, spices and seasonings. - About how they were used by our ancestors centuries ago for a variety of ailments, and how they are used today to enhance your favorite recipe.With this in mind I am attempting to present a different herb, spice or seasoning for each day of the A-Z Challenge. Please drop by often and perhaps we both will learn something new.
Learn more about these terms
"W" is for White Pepper
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I did not have a lot of options for "W" so this is sort of a "buy one-get one " deal. Since both are from the same plant I went for the "W" option and will learn about.....
WHITE PEPPER
The world's most popular spice, a berry grown in grapelike clusters on the pepper plant (a climbing vine native to India and Indonesia. The berry is processed to produce three basic types: black, white, and green. Black is the most common; when picken the berry is not quite ripe, then dried until it shrivels and the skin turns dark brown to black. Black is the strongest (slightly hot with a hint of sweetness) flavor of the three. Tellicherry and Lampong are among the best black peppercorns. White peppercorn, less pungent, has been allowed to ripen, then the skin is removed and the berry dried. White peppercorns are smaller, have a smoother skin and a light-tan color with a milder flavor. The green peppercon is the soft, underripe berry that is usually preserved in brine. It has a fresh flavor that is less pungent than the berry in its other forms.Ground white pepper is sometimes used in Chinese cooking or in dishes like salad, light-coloured sauces or mashed potatoes, where black pepper would visibly stand out. White pepper has a slightly different flavour from black pepper due to the lack of certain compounds which are present in the outer fruit layer of the drupe( berry) but are not found in the seed.
Medicinal Uses:
Based on secondary sources, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), white pepper is thought to have warming properties and is used for joint pain and stiffness (from conditions such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome), dyspepsia, nausea, malaria, cholera, cancer, food poisoning, dysentery and gonorrhea. White pepper has also been applied topically to relieve pain. Based on secondary sources, in moxibustion techniques, white pepper is mixed with flour to make a paste and applied over the acupuncture point, then covered with a moxa cone and ignited. (ouch... that has GOT to hurt!)
King's American Dispensatory (1898) reportedly describes use of a topical cataplasm containing equal parts of vervain,( a perennial flower found in England) senna and white pepper mixed together with egg whites for "promoting the absorption of the blood effused in bruises." Topically, white pepper essential oil is used for treatment of pain, such as from muscular aches, sprains, osteoporosis, rheumatism and arthritis.
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Sources:
www.food.com
Wikipedia
http://www.naturalstandard.com
I'm familiar with black pepper and have heard of peppercorns, but I didn't know what they really were. I'd never heard of white pepper and don't think I'll be setting it on fire anytime soon. Great information and 'W' post.
ReplyDeleteKathy at Oak Lawn Images
Thanks,Kathy, I think that black is much more popular. Will have to try the white version to compare it to black.
DeleteMy mother first told me about white pepper, she says it's easier to digest. We didn't know about it's healing proprieties. We'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for you response,Jenn. I am planning on trying white to compare with the black.
DeleteHeading to the finish line!!!YEAH! See you there!
I didn't know any of that about white pepper. At one time it was the only type of pepper readily available in the UK. My cousin, who is a pepper freak, used to carry a pepper mill (for black pepper) with her so she could use it in restaurants which typically only had white pepper in those days. I'm sitting here with an ache and wishing I had some essential oil.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Forgot to say I haven't heard the word 'drupe' since I was in school and that was a looooong time ago.
DeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Really, it must have been quite popular if it was the only one carried in restaurants. Very interesting. Re the word 'drupe'... I had to look it up as I have never heard it before... which is why I put it in brackets, in case there were others like me. You, however, are waaaay too smart.
DeleteI have been wanting to try white pepper for a long time, I often see it in recipes and have been meaning to pick some up. You have inspired me to seek it out on my next trip to the grocery store!
ReplyDeleteMe,too,Monica. Whoever finds it first let the other one know. OK here's a problem... I try to limit my use of salt but if it's white pepper, beside white salt... how will I know which one to use?? ( Don't say label the shakers, that would be very uncouth??!!)LOL!
DeleteI never understood white pepper. I will try it next time I make mashed potatoes.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I am going to try it as well. .......3 letters to go!!
DeleteNever knew it had healing properties, but that's good because I use it a lot when I cook! I tend to use it when I want a milder flavor. I've always found it in the spice aisle with the McCormick spices.
ReplyDeleteI really really love your A to Z posts! I am spice-challenged in the kitchen (I tend to stick to only what I know!), and these have been helpful.
~Lynn
Hey, Lynn, you are not alone in that dept. Up until recently I ,too, just cooked with the old "stand bys". Thanks for the tip as to where to find it...
DeleteOnly 3 letters left. I have to admit I have enjoyed this one!
Hi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteNice to be here,
Thanks for dropping at my page and for the encouraging comment.
This is an informative post, and yes in our native land(Kerala) also known as land of spices, this is available in plenty, and its medicinal properties are great, for cold and other body ailments pepper boiled water is a best medicine.
Thanks for sharing this info.
Keep info. Best Regards
P V
Hi PV ... thanks for the encouragement and for the validation of what is said about white pepper. Boiled pepper water, I will have to try its medicinal property!
DeleteTake care.
Thanks for stopping by. I shall come back and read about more spices as I have started a blog healthy foods after my husband's open heart surgery.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your blog. Hope all is well with your husband.... and with you.. as we ( wives/spouses) of those affected, have our life changed as well.
ReplyDeletePatricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice