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. The garbled variety is black in colour nearly globular with a wrinkled surface.

A pinch of black pepper is added to almost every type of recipe imaginable. Once used as currency and presented to the gods as a sacred offering, it is fortunate that this most popular of spices is available throughout the year.

Quality
1. Free from animal excreta;
2. Free from foreign matter of other than of pepper origin (i.e. stone, metal pieces, etc);
3. Contain no short or long stems/stalks;
4. Will not be mouldy; and
5. Not be infested with pests

Benefits
1.The piperine in black pepper enhances the bioavailability of various nutrients such as vitamins A and C, selenium, beta-carotene, and others, thereby improving your overall health.
2.Black pepper stimulates the taste buds and increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which in turn aids proper digestion. Interestingly, most digestive problems are caused by a lack of hydrochloric acid rather than excess amounts of it.
3. The outer layer of peppercorns contains phytonutrients that encourage the breakdown of fat cells.
4. Black pepper has natural antibiotic characteristics owing to its vitamin C content. It curbs harmful free radical reactions.
5. Black pepper helps in treating diseases caused due to bacteria. The influence of black pepper has been observed while treating conditions like constipation, diarrhea and colic
6. The antibacterial properties of black pepper are used for treating respiratory disorders.
7. The free radical scavenging activity of black pepper helps in the treatment of cancer. It slows down the activity of some types of cancer. Black pepper finds its application in skin cancer as well.
8 . It generates free radical killing action that curbs the cancerous activities in the body.
9. It burns the unwanted calories and helps in reducing belly fat. Black pepper is very effective against obesity.
10. The oil has a warming effect, which helps improve circulation and provide relief from arthritic and rheumatic pains.
11. Black pepper essential oil contains potassium, which helps keep your blood pressure in check and ensures that it does not get to an unhealthy or dangerously high level.
12. The high amount of antioxidants present in black pepper helps your skin by protecting it against the symptoms of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.

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. The ungarbled variety has a wrinkled surface and the color varies from dark brown to black.

A pinch of black pepper is added to almost every type of recipe imaginable. Once used as currency and presented to the gods as a sacred offering, it is fortunate that this most popular of spices is available throughout the year.

Quality
1. Free from animal excreta;
2. Free from foreign matter of other than of pepper origin (i.e. stone, metal pieces, etc);
3. Contain no short or long stems/stalks;
4. Will not be mouldy; and
5. Not be infested with pests

Benefits
1.The piperine in black pepper enhances the bioavailability of various nutrients such as vitamins A and C, selenium, beta-carotene, and others, thereby improving your overall health.
2.Black pepper stimulates the taste buds and increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which in turn aids proper digestion. Interestingly, most digestive problems are caused by a lack of hydrochloric acid rather than excess amounts of it.
3. The outer layer of peppercorns contains phytonutrients that encourage the breakdown of fat cells.
4. Black pepper has natural antibiotic characteristics owing to its vitamin C content. It curbs harmful free radical reactions.
5. Black pepper helps in treating diseases caused due to bacteria. The influence of black pepper has been observed while treating conditions like constipation, diarrhea and colic
6. The antibacterial properties of black pepper are used for treating respiratory disorders.
7. The free radical scavenging activity of black pepper helps in the treatment of cancer. It slows down the activity of some types of cancer. Black pepper finds its application in skin cancer as well.
8 . It generates free radical killing action that curbs the cancerous activities in the body.
9. It burns the unwanted calories and helps in reducing belly fat. Black pepper is very effective against obesity.
10. The oil has a warming effect, which helps improve circulation and provide relief from arthritic and rheumatic pains.
11. Black pepper essential oil contains potassium, which helps keep your blood pressure in check and ensures that it does not get to an unhealthy or dangerously high level.
12. The high amount of antioxidants present in black pepper helps your skin by protecting it against the symptoms of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.

White pepper consists of only the inner seed of the pepper berry, with the pericarp removed. To make white pepper, the berry is picked fully ripe. Its outer shrunken skin is rubbed off, exposing the dried, greyish-white pepper inside.
White pepper and hence, its powder has a milder, more delicate flavour than black pepper because it contains lesser piperine, the volatile oil that gives pepper its characteristic flavour. It is useful for adding a peppery flavour to light-coloured sauces and soups.

Preparation
1. Fully ripe / over ripe berries are selected.
2. They are crushed lightly, filled in muslin bag and are Soaked in slowly, which helps in decomposition of berry skin.
3. The skin is removed by rubbing the berries in sieves.
4. After removal of skin, the berries are washed and are sun- dried for 3-4 days to get white pepper.

Usage
White pepper is mostly used in light-colored dishes like white sauces and mashed potatoes for aesthetic reason. It is also common in Chinese cooking, and is also used in aromatic Vietnamese soups and pork dishes, as well as in many Swedish preparations.
It can be sprinkled over eggs and a variety of cheeses for additional flavoring. It combines very well with salads, cold cuts, sandwiches, balsamic tomatoes and is mostly used as a flavoring agent.
White pepper is also commonly used and is popular among chefs for its slightly milder flavor and the light color that compliments white sauces, mayonnaise, souffles, and other light-colored dishes.

Benefits
1.White pepper, or in fact all peppers contain capsaicin, a hot substance which generates heat. This fundamental property of pepper is utilized by using it in pain relieving gels and sprays.
2.Due to the presence of capsaicin, pepper helps in burning the fats inside the body and thus helps in losing weight.
3.As per the research conducted at the University of Nottingham and the American Association of Cancer Research, Capsaicin in white pepper can kill some of the cancerous cells.
4.White pepper is also quite helpful in treating headaches. A pain in the head develops when the neuropeptide, substance P transmits pain to the brain. However, capsaicin can block this transmission and thus alleviate the symptoms of a headache.
5.Those affected by a bad cough and sore throat must consume white pepper powder with a little bit of raw honey to seek relief.
6.The heat generated by white pepper can help one clear the nasal tract and relieve nasal congestion.
7.Consumption of white pepper can kill the ulcer-causing bacteria in stomach and intestines.
8. White pepper is rich in flavonoids, and vitamins C and A, it is quite helpful in keeping the blood pressure under control.
9. White pepper is rich in flavonoids, vitamins C and A, it is quite helpful in keeping the blood pressure under control and Vitamins A, K, and C. It contains a large quantity of manganese, iron, and dietary fibers and thus ensures a healthy supply of minerals to the body.
10. White pepper powder is known to provide relief from toothaches when used in combination with clove oil or table salt.
11. White pepper is also considered quite effective for seeking a cure to cataract. Combine with almonds in a 1:5 ratio and then mix with brown sugar and ghee.