Black pepper, Size : 8 Mm

Pepper has a sharp, hot and biting taste. It's a warming spice. It is one of the oldest and important spices in the world. So important, that in ancient times it was used to pay taxes. In 410 A.D, when the Huns lay seige of Rome, 3000 pounds of pepper was demanded as ransom.

India holds a supreme position in the production of pepper. Two of its celebrated varieties are `Malabar Garbled' and `Tellichery Extra Bold'. The finest Indian pepper is grown in the monsoon forests of the Malabar coast in Kerala.

Pepper is extensively used in the wintry cusine of North India, to impart warmth and    pungency to veg. dishes. In the South, it is used as a flavoring spice in non-veg    preparations. Pepper incidently is an important spice in the Indian four-spice classic    'garam masala'. Peppercorns boiled in water along with basil leaves, are said to relieve    chest congestions and asthematic condition.