Black pepper

Poivre noir

What it is

Medieval Europe paid rents, dowries and ransoms in peppercorns — “peppercorn rent” survives in English law. Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa chasing this berry; whole cities, from Venice to Lisbon, grew rich on its trail.

In the kitchen

Grind it at the last moment — pre-ground pepper is mostly dust and regret. Try it on strawberries: it works.

Goes with

Strawberry Beef Egg Lemon Parmesan Oyster

Same species

Ashanti pepper Cubeb pepper Green peppercorn Hoja santa Lolot leaf Long pepper

Also used with

Abondance Aiguillette baronne Lamb fries Appenzeller Spider steak Asiago d'allevo

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