Choices! What will it be? #34
“Oh my mouth, I need water!” Those were the words that escaped out of my friend's mouth immediately after taking a bite into the fiery fruit. As little kids, 6 years of age who were curious about the fruits and crops in the backyard, we both wanted to know how they all tasted.. I actually couldn't help but burst into laughter as he went in search for something to quench his burning tongue.
Funnily, in the midst of his cries, I felt a tinge of envy, I too wanted to experience the bold flavor of this mysterious fruit which was a like forbidden fruit calling out to me despite the funny consequences.
They call it the King of Spices. There should be more to this fruit. So, Join me as we dive into the world of peppers 🌶️ and learn all about them!
Obviously we all know what is pepper but let me give a quick definition of what I understand by this fruit called pepper....
Pepper is a spice that is derived or gotten from the fruit of plants. It is not just a kind of plant but a specific one scientifically known as the genus capsicum. It is a small fruit, that contain a chemical composition known as capsaicin that gives them that spicy, fiery flavor we all know them for!
The special plant that peppers come from are typically seen in warm climates, and the fruits can be eaten dried, fresh or used to make sauce as well as other dishes. In some cultures it used for medicine and religious rituals purposes.
Therefore, it is a versatile plant with numerous uses....
It is called the king of spice as it history can be dated back to at least 7,000 years ago when it was first cultivated in the South and Central America. It is practically believed that it was brought to Europe by the Portuguese and the Spanish explorers in the 15th century. In the 16th century, it became a high demanding commodity which was surprisingly used as a form of currency.
Wow.. mind-blowing! Imagine planting the pepper plant in your field and see it produce many fruits. Obviously you are rich 😌....
The Dutch established a kind of law on the pepper trade, and it was and still a valuable commodity for centuries. Today, pepper is still a popular spice which is cultivated in many countries in the world even Nigeria. I cultivate it also... But a few
..
There are many different types of peppers. The most common ones are:
- Black pepper: This is the most common type of pepper and it is been made by drying the berries of the pepper until they change to black. We use these type of pepper in our cooking activities, raw or grinded or even in a powdered form....
- White pepper: I have little knowledge about how this is made but I know it generally gotten by removing the skin of the berries from the black pepper. It has a more milder flavor than black pepper.....
- Green pepper: I think this type of pepper is the least processed type of pepper. It is fresher, mostly green in color and has more Vegetal flavor. The green peppers can be turned into black pepper when they're sun dried. But not all are guaranteed to accept the change....
There are also other types of pepper such as pink pepper, Aleppo pepper and Sichuan pepper.... Each types has it own unique uses and flavors...
This fruit "pepper" has so many different uses..
- They're a common spice found in the kitchen used for cooking. It is commonly considered for adding flavor and heat to dishes.
- It can be used freshly for garnishing salads and sauces.
- Aside cooking purposes, they're been used for medicine (traditionally) for it is believed to have antioxidants and also anti-inflammatory properties. Black pepper are the common types used as medicine.
The nutritional stats of peppers is listed below...
| Nutrients | Amount in %/grams |
|---|---|
| Water | 94% |
| Carbohydrates | 5% |
| Protein | 1% |
| Fat | 100grams |
| Vitamin C | 158% |
| Vitamin A | 20% |
| Vitamin B6 | 23% |
| Riboflavin | 12% |
| Folate | 12% |
| Vitamin E | 11%.... |
A black (red bell pepper) supplies twice the amount of vitamin C and eight times the vitamin A content of the green peppers....
As an important crop for many countries around the world, it's a major export for countries like Indonesia, India and Brazil providing a basic source of income for farmers in those areas... In some countries like the United States and Canada it is grown for consumption and trade/export...
In addition to it economic importance, Peppers are important element of cultures and rituals ceremonies in some places.. A symbol of good luck or prosperity it is considered as...
In conclusion, Pepper is an amazingly versatile crop with a very long history and a wide range of uses both domestically and commercially. It is an important ingredient in cooking food, a major deal in export Market for many centuries and a cultural symbol for many around the globe. Even if you're using it as a spice in cooking or just admiring/appreciating it significance culturally, it is fascinating crop and has made great impact in the world in many ways....
THE KING OF SPICE
Thanks for reading...
I invite @dar22 and @blessingogah-1 to participate.....
Cc,
@patjewell
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My eyes are watering just from reading your post!
I once pickled some peppers, and my hands smelled and tasted like peppers for days! Next time I won't forget to put gloves on, that's for sure.
Thank you for entering this week's contest of "Choices."
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