Whole grains, freshly ground if possible.
whole black peppercorns
Available from Bremer GewürzhandelHand bottlingin Bremen
Buy directlywith the partner, without detours
Untreatedunirradiated and unsulphured
What tradition tells us about pepper
Malabar Coast
His homeland is the Malabar Coast in southwest India. From there he traveled through Arabia and Egypt to Rome.
Pepper sacks
In 408, the Gothic king Alaric is said to have demanded 3,000 pounds of pepper as ransom from Rome. Later, wealthy merchants were mockingly called pepper sacks.
Freshly ground
In Ayurveda, it is considered pungent and warming. In cooking, it unfolds its best flavor fresh from the mill, added at the very end to the dish.
The profile in the Botanical Archive: benefits, ingredients, home remedies, Ayurveda & TCM and all sources.
What folk medicine used pepper for: in the Botanical Archive →Black pepper (Piper nigrum), whole peppercorns, sun-dried berries of the pepper shrub.
At a glance
- Plant: Piper nigrum (black pepper bush), climbing plant
- Origin: India (Malabar Coast), Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil
- Includes: Piperine (5 to 9 percent), essential oil
- Tradition: the most traded spice in history, once worth its weight in gold
Why your body is aware of this issue: Piperine is more than just spicy. It opens the door in the gut for other substances: The absorption of curcumin from turmeric increases many times over with a pinch of pepper. That's why turmeric and pepper are listed together in our nutrient atlas.
Folk medicine, tradition, research
Why pepper was once worth its weight in gold, what piperine does in the body, and what research says about it.
Here's how to use it
Whole peppercorns retain their aroma for years, while ground pepper loses it in weeks. Therefore, grind it only at the table or just before serving. It goes well with all savory dishes, especially with turmeric, and surprisingly delicious with strawberries and chocolate.
Good to know
- Piperine enhances the absorption of some medications. Anyone consuming large amounts of pepper as a dietary supplement should consult their doctor. Kitchen quantities are not a concern.
- Use sparingly if you have a sensitive stomach or heartburn.
- Pepper is unsuitable for dogs and cats: do not feed them any spiced leftovers.
As always, remember: a spice or herb is part of good food, not a medicine or medical advice. If you have any health concerns, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking regular medication, it's a good idea to consult your doctor beforehand.
Available from our partner Bremer Gewürzhandel
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Why this partner
Bremen spice trade
We only recommend retailers that we have vetted and whose origin information is verifiable.
- Hand bottlingin Bremen
- Untreatedunirradiated and unsulphured
- CheckedAnalyses in Germany
- Buy directlyShipping and invoice from the retailer
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I buy whole black peppercorns ?
Directly from Bremer Gewürzhandel. The button above will take you to the partner's product page; shipping and invoicing will be handled by them. The price remains the same for you.
What was pepper used for in the past?
We explain this in detail in the Botanical Archive: what folk medicine used pepper for, what research says about it today, and with all the sources. View portrait →
How do you choose your partners?
We check ownership, origin, organic certification, and, where available, laboratory analyses. We do not accept partners belonging to a pharmaceutical company.
