Intro for Pepper

Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum) is the most commonly used spice in the world.  It is said that the discovery of Pepper by European Explorers changed the course of history.  Shipping routes were established, wars fought and currencies established all because of the Black Gold.   Although many areas in the world produce pepper, India and specifically the Malabar coast has always been and continues to be the most important area for pepper.  The Romans called both long Pepper and Black pepper, piper and thought them to be the same thing.  They were incorrect and Long pepper ( piper longum) is quite abit different in taste and less common therefore it saw dramatic declines in its trade especially after Chillies were introduced from the “new World “ colonies. Pepper is the fruit from a flowering vine and Green pepper corns are the unripe fruit.  When ripe they are red and finally black.  If the Black pepper is husked the white kernel is exposed or white pepper.

Over and Above has included other spices which have pepper like properties in the collection of the finest pepper in the world™ as we believe they have great culinary value.

Jamaicans have their “all-spice berry which is incredible crushed and used on game meats.  The Chinese have their Sichuan pepper which is truly a berry of a flowering bush. We hope you will feel free to be creative and try some various “peppers” to replace the pre ground black pepper on the kitchen table