What is freshly ground black pepper, kalimirch powder, kali mirch ka powder?

Black pepper comes from the pepper plant, a smooth woody vine that can grow up to 33 feet in hot and humid tropical climates. They begin to bear small white clustered flowers after 3 to 4 years and develop into berries known as peppercorns. Ground peppercorns produce the spice we call pepper. Black pepper, green pepper and white peppercorns are actually the same fruit (Piper nigrum); the difference in their colour is a reflection of varying stages of development and processing methods.

Black peppercorns are made by picking the pepper berries when they are half ripe and just about to turn red. They are then left to dry, which causes them to shrivel and become dark in colour. Black pepper is the most pungent and flavourful of all types of peppers and it is available as whole or cracked peppercorns, or ground into powder.

Freshly ground black pepper is perhaps the most popular of its forms of consumption, and it is a common sight to see spice mills filled with pepper on many a dining table. It has a better flavour and aroma compared to readymade pepper powders. Crushed pepper is great for sprinkling over salads, soups, sandwiches or even a cup of tea. It not only adds to the flavour but also helps kindle one’s appetite, and helps soothe a disturbed respiratory tract too!

How to select freshly ground black pepper, kalimirch powder, kali mirch ka powder

• To make freshly ground black pepper, choose heavy, company and blemish-free peppercorns.

• Before filling the pepper into a mill, sort it to remove stones or other debris that might be present.

• Just like with other dried spices, when purchasing black pepper try to select that which is organically grown since this will give you more assurance that it has not been irradiated (among other potential adverse effects, irradiating black pepper may lead to a significant decrease in its vitamin C content).

Culinary Uses of freshly ground black pepper, kalimirch powder, kali mirch ka powder

• Keep a pepper mill readily filled at the table, so you can add freshly ground pepper to myriad dishes like soups, salads and sandwiches as and when needed.

• Always add freshly ground pepper at the end of the cooking process as heating it for too long will lead to loss of flavour.

• Coat skewed paneer with crushed peppercorns before cooking for a special peppery taste.

• Make a delicious salad dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and black pepper powder.

How to store freshly ground black pepper, kalimirch powder, kali mirch ka powder

• Black pepper should be kept in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place.

• Whole peppercorns will keep almost indefinitely, while ground pepper will stay fresh for about three months.

• Pepper can also be frozen although this will make its flavour more pronounced.

Health benefits of freshly ground black pepper, kalimirch powder, kali mirch ka powder

Black pepper has been identified to stimulate the digestive juices and enzymes in the gut thus lending a helping hand in maintaining digestive health. The antibacterial nature of black pepper helps to relieve cold and cough, especially when black pepper is ground and mixed with honey and consumed. kali mirch may help in maintaining normal blood sugar levels as it improves insulin sensitivity. So diabetics and weight watchers with high blood sugar levels both can benefit from black pepper. Kalimich is known to boost metabolism and promote fat cell breakdown. Yes, the piperine in it may help you overcome obesity, weight loss. See detailed benefits of black pepper, kali mirch.