What is white pepper and how is it used in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine?

Today we’ll talk about white pepper as a spice and a hybrid of bell paprika.

Peppercorns holds the palm for use in cooking. Black pepper is the most popular, followed by allspice and pink, but white is not so common. However, this spice can reveal the taste of many dishes and add originality.

In this article we will talk about growing white paprika varieties and how white pepper is obtained from the Piper nigrum vine. You will learn about the beneficial properties, effects on the body and how to use these products.

Description of the spice

White peppercorns are not harvested from a single plant species. This is the same black pepper, only fully ripe. To obtain the spice, they specially wait for the time of full ripening and peel the fruits from the shells in several ways.

Previously, peas were soaked in sea water and the shell was removed by hand. The process took a long time and was quite labor intensive. It is not surprising that the cost of the spice was astronomical. Now this process is automated - the shell is removed by machine, after pre-treating the seeds with steam.

Reference. The outer shell of ripe Piper nigrum fruits is rich red, and the seeds are creamy with a grayish tint.

What it looks like and where it grows

The second name for black pepper is “Malabar berry.”. The fruits grow on a tree-like vine, the height of which in the wild reaches 15 m.When grown on special plantations, its growth is limited to 5 m.

The plant blooms with small flowers collected in long racemes. From them drupes are formed. The leaves of the vine are oval, green, with a gray coating.

Piper nigrum grows in the tropical zone. This is one of the main agricultural crops in India, on the islands of Sumatra, Sri Lanka, and Borneo. The photo shows how black pepper grows on a vine.

Chemical composition

The table shows a set of vitamins and minerals in white peppercorns.

KBZHU

Nutritional value of white peppercorns:

• calorie content – ​​296 kcal;
• proteins – 10.4 g;
• fats – 2.1 g;
• carbohydrates – 42.4 g;
• fiber – 26.2 g;
• water – 11.42 g.

Taste and aroma

White peppercorns without the outer shell have a pleasant and less spicy taste compared to black pepper. The aroma is subtle, but quite noticeable.

The benefits and harms of white pepper

White peppercorns have many beneficial properties:

• normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
• thins the blood, reducing the risk of thrombosis;
• regulates the functioning of the digestive system;
• cleanses the gastrointestinal tract of toxic substances and removes toxins;
• increases the body's defenses;
• speeds up metabolism;
• prevents the formation of cancer cells;
• freshens breath, eliminates bleeding gums, kills bacteria;
• helps to recover from severe infectious diseases;
• removes worms;
• increases sexual desire;
• has antipyretic properties;
• has a diuretic effect;
• increases hemoglobin production;
• activates the pancreas.

White peppercorns can be harmful to people suffering from stomach ulcers, gastritis, kidney inflammation and anemia.

Application

White peppercorns are primarily used in cooking as a spice to enrich the taste of meat, fish and vegetable dishes. Beneficial features, a set of vitamins and microelements allows it to be used in folk medicine and cosmetology.

In cooking

White pepper is suitable for preparing meat, fish, vegetable dishes and sauces.

Ground pepper is subjected to minimal heat treatment to preserve flavor and aroma. It is used to season ready-made dishes. White peppercorns are added at the beginning of cooking and removed at the end.

Reference. Experienced chefs advise grinding the peas before use, since the product loses its flavor during long-term storage.

Ground spice enriches the taste of veal and beef, white fish and vegetables. Pepper is used to season soups, stews, fish soup, goulash, and filling for savory pies. Due to its rich aroma, the seasoning is not suitable as a component for sweet dishes and drinks.

In folk medicine

White pepper has been used as a medicinal drug since ancient Indian times. The spice was used to treat the upper respiratory tract.

Today the spice is used in pharmacology. The extract and powder are added to ointments with a warming effect, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents.

Ointments with white pepper are effective in the treatment of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system: arthritis, radiculitis, osteochondrosis. Rubbing helps relieve vasospasm and improve blood circulation during ARVI.

In folk medicine, infusions of white pepper are actively used to get rid of urolithiasis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis. Tincture with honey thins mucus, promotes its removal, and has a disinfecting effect.

Alcohol tinctures help cure sore throats and remove mucus from the respiratory tract. Infusion-based compresses help with sprains.

In cosmetology

White pepper is included in face masks, which are aimed at improving skin tone and regeneration. Due to its vasodilating properties, the spice is added to anti-cellulite products and masks to accelerate hair growth and strengthen hair follicles.

How to choose

When choosing white pepper, first of all pay attention to the color and aroma of the spice. The color of the peas should be creamy beige. When ground, pepper takes on a brownish tint.

Sometimes bleached peppers are found on sale, and the peas resemble small pearls. To achieve this effect, some manufacturers use hydrogen peroxide or a lime solution for bleaching. This processing results in loss of essential oils, aroma and taste.

A pronounced gray tint indicates that the pepper harvesting technology was previously violated or its expiration date has passed.

To determine the freshness of a spice, try crushing a pea with your fingers. A high-quality product will fall apart into several fractions (or first flatten and then turn into crumbs), while old seeds will turn into powder.

It is preferable to make ground pepper at home using a grinder.But stores also sell ready-made spices in bags. Check the integrity of the packaging, feel it to see if there are any lumps inside that indicate that the product has compacted.

How to store

The taste and aroma of white peppercorns lasts for two years. The spice is stored in airtight jars and placed in a dark, dry place, inaccessible to sunlight.

Contraindications

White peppercorns are not recommended for food if:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers);
• pancreatitis;
• kidney pathologies;
• inflammatory processes in the bladder;
• depression and other disorders of the nervous system;
• anemia;
• allergies;
• pregnancy and lactation.

White bell pepper

White sweet pepper is not a separate species, but a group of varieties and hybrids. The white color of the fruit indicates technical (incomplete) ripeness. By the time they are fully ripe, the fruits acquire a cream, yellow or red hue, depending on the variety.

A distinctive feature of white bell pepper is that it contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals in its unripe form. Of all the varieties, the product of Dutch breeders called White Bell is considered truly white. Ripe fruits take on an ivory hue.

Varieties

Popular varieties and hybrids of white bell pepper:

1. White bell. Dutch-made hybrid. At first the fruits are white, but as they ripen they become ivory in color. Productivity is average, peppers are large in size. The taste is average, like many Dutch varieties.
2. Belozerka. Mid-season variety, ripens on day 115. The color at technical maturity is creamy, at biological maturity it is rich red. Productivity – 1.5-2 kg/m².The taste is pleasant and refreshing.
3. Snow White. The fruits ripen early, 110 days from the moment the seedlings are planted. The color of the fruit at technical maturity is white-green, while at biological maturity it is red and rich. The taste is pleasant, the aroma is not pronounced. Productivity – 3-4 kg/m².
4. The star of the east is white. Early ripening hybrid with large fruits. Color varies from white-green to deep yellow. From 1 m² they collect up to 7 kg.
5. Ivanhoe. One of the new early ripening varieties. The fruits appear on days 103-110. Unripe peppers are creamy white and turn orange or red as they ripen. Up to 7 kg is collected from one square meter.
6. Lumina. Quite a popular variety, easy to grow and care for. The fruits are medium in size, weighing 110 g. The color varies from white-green to pinkish-golden. The taste is pleasant, the flesh is juicy.
7. White lightning. Mid-season variety. The fruits are small, weighing up to 60 g. The color of the peppers varies from white-green to dark red. The taste is excellent, refreshing, the aroma is not too intense. Up to 7 kg is collected from one square meter.

Features of cultivation

Following the rules for growing white pepper varieties allows you to get a rich harvest:

1. Preparing seeds for seedlings is a mandatory step. To do this, they are heated in the oven at a temperature of 60°C and kept in a solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Before sowing, the seeds are kept in wet cotton cloth for up to seven days.
3. The soil for seedlings must be nutritious, marked “for tomatoes and peppers.”
4. The cups are placed in a sufficiently lit place, but not in direct sunlight. Since pepper is a capricious crop and does not tolerate changing conditions, it is not recommended to move seedlings from place to place.
5. Watering is regular and moderate, as the soil dries, preferably in the morning.
6. Periodic feeding is required.
7. Transplantation is carried out after the appearance of three true leaves. It is advisable not to bury the seedlings, but to leave them at the level of the roots.
8. Planting in the ground begins in early June. The distance between rows is half a meter, between bushes - up to 25 cm.
9. The choice of location plays an important role. The culture loves sun and warmth, and is afraid of drafts and shadows.
10. After planting, the soil is watered and mulched with peat or sawdust to prevent drying out.

Reference. Hybrid seeds do not need disinfection or soaking. This procedure is intended for hand-harvested seed.

Properties of white bell pepper

White sweet peppers are endowed with the same beneficial properties as fruits of other shades:

• immunostimulating effect;
• replenishment of vitamin and mineral deficiencies;
• optimization of the digestive system;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• cleansing blood vessels and thinning the blood;
• antioxidant effect;
• removal of excess cholesterol;
• regulation of body weight and reduction of body fat;
• normalization of the endocrine system;
• prevention of intestinal infections and diarrhea.

Application

The fruits of white pepper varieties are suitable for consumption fresh and canned. Vegetable salads, stews, sauces, and lecho are prepared from them. Peppers are baked over a fire, marinated, stuffed, stewed, and dried.

In folk medicine, freshly squeezed juice is used, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. Rinsing the mouth with diluted juice helps get rid of stomatitis and gingivitis. A glass of juice with a tablespoon of honey will eliminate inflammation of the lacrimal sac.

Regular consumption of sweet pepper juice will help restore thyroid function due to its high iodine content.

A glass of juice three times a day will help improve the functioning of the pancreas and lower blood sugar levels.

Reviews

People's impressions of using white peppercorns and white sweet peppers are positive.

Maria, Murom: «I like to add various seasonings and spices to dishes. Not long ago I discovered the wonderful taste of white pepper. I always buy it in pea form and grind it in a mill before seasoning the dish. The spice complements the taste of my favorite bechamel sauce. To understand what it is, you should try it at least once.”

Vladimir, Volgograd: “I have extensive experience growing vegetables in a greenhouse. From time to time I try new varieties in practice. Last year the choice fell on a white bell pepper called Lumina. Now I recommend it to all gardeners I know. The variety is easy to care for and the peppers have a beautiful color. At first they are white with a greenish tint, and as they ripen they become yellow with a golden-pink tint.”

Read also:

What is the best way to plant peppers in a greenhouse: rules for a good neighborhood for a good harvest.

Perfect in appearance and amazing in taste, Polet pepper.

Where and how to store bell peppers for the winter.

Conclusion

When you mention white pepper, a well-known spice immediately comes to mind, and few people know about the existence of white bell pepper. Both of these products have a lot of useful properties and are often used in cooking and folk medicine. Ground white pepper is even added to cosmetics and pharmacological products.

Growing hybrid varieties paprika - it’s not an easy task, but with the right approach it allows you to get a rich harvest.