Piper nigrum
Origin: Madagascar
Family: Piperaceae
Part used: Fruit
A plant that needs little introduction, Piper nigrum is a flowering vine, native to the Malabar Coast of India. Its spicy heat is due to the chemical compound piperine, and it's considered the most traded spice in the world. As well as its renowned culinary reputation, Pepper goes back centuries across a variety of cultures for its medicinal uses. These include circulatory stimulants, muscle relaxants, analgesics and a treatment for insomnia.
Sharp, musty and hot. Tones of dark, woody rose with a fresh pungent bite.
- Pepper Black essential oil
- Dried Pepper Fruit
We steep the whole dried fruit into the cream or mulling liquid to allow the flavour to infuse into the mixture. The dried fruit adds a spiciness to the recipe.
This ancient and revered spice dates back thousands of years. It was used in India over 4000 years ago to fight cholera, and of course, established as a culinary spice. Greek physician, Hippocrates, recommended Pepper for improving menstrual regulation while Louis XIV's doctor advised that a few drops applied topically would restore a lost erection. Attila the Hun is reputed to have demanded 3000 pounds of Pepper as part of the ransom for Rome. The Greeks employed Pepper oil for fighting a fever. It has been promoted for its powerful, warming properties and has been used to ease muscle and joint stiffness. Pepper Black oil is also believed to stimulate circulation and dilate blood vessels. It is said to have a calming effect on the mind and nerves