The world of pepper: from luxury good to the most popular spice
Pepper may be small and inconspicuous. But the round grains are rich not only in flavor, but also in history. In ancient Rome, for example, pepper was once a recognized means of payment and worth as much as gold. But also in medicine, pepper – more precisely, the contained piperine – has been valued for centuries for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. By the way, the hotness of pepper is measured by the so-called Scoville scale. One of the hottest peppers is the Cayenne pepper with 30,000 to 60,000 Scoville units. For comparison, hot peppers are at the lower end of the scale with 100 to 500 Scoville. Anyone who now associates pepper exclusively with spiciness is wrong. Just like coffee or wine, good pepper offers a rich palette of flavors – from woody to floral to fruity or minty. This allows you to take dishes to a new level and create unique taste experiences. But beware: only freshly ground, pepper can develop its full flavor. High time, then, to put the pepper powder aside and experiment with fresh pepper.
But which types of pepper should not be missing in the kitchen?
In every well-stocked spice shelf black, white and red pepper must not be missing. By the way, the three peppers come from the same plant. They are harvested only at different stages of maturity. If you fancy a real rarity, you should reach for the Voatsiperifery pepper. This rare pepper grows in the jungle of Madagascar and is not only a real tongue twister, but also a real palate pleaser.
Black pepper from Cambodia: the classic
A study by spice mill manufacturer Peugeot Saveurs shows that 96 percent of Germans prefer black pepper when cooking. It is obtained from the unripe berries of the pepper plant, which are dried. Black pepper captivates with a fruity and minty aroma and goes perfectly with beef and lamb, with Mediterranean grilled vegetables but also with fresh strawberries as a flavor kick.
White pepper from Madagascar: the hot one
White pepper is obtained from the ripe berries of the pepper plant, which are freed from their outer shell and then dried. Due to its fuller maturity, white pepper is hotter than black pepper. With its herbal aroma and floral freshness, it is ideal for white meat, poultry, white fish, as well as vegetables – especially pumpkin, asparagus, green beans and lettuce.
Red pepper from Cambodia: the fruity one
Red pepper is a late harvest: The pepper fruit remains on the plant until it turns red. Only then is harvested. The increased sugar content in the pulp gives the red pepper a sweet, fruity note with an exceptionally long finish. Should definitely try with grilled or smoked meat and vegetables or with fruit compote and chocolate.
Voatsiperifery pepper from Madagascar: the precious one
This variety of pepper grows at a dizzying height. The pepper plants wrap around the jungle trees of Madagascar like vines – making picking a masterstroke. Voatsiperifery pepper is relatively mild and captivates with woody, floral and fruity aromas. These complex nuances make the pepper a favorite of high cuisine, including meat, fish and seafood but also chocolate desserts.
Who now thinks that it needs a separate mill for each pepper, is wrong!
Discover the world of pepper with just one mill
With the Maestro pepper bar from Peugeot, the different types of pepper can be ground in parallel without having to change the mill. How does that work? The pepper types and blends can be changed in no time at all using the screw system. To explore new flavors, simply unscrew the pepper jar under the grinder and replace it with another filled with the pepper of choice. At the table, the Maestro pepper bar also provides plenty to talk about, because it turns the shared meal into a pepper sommelier experience: good conversation about flavors and aha moments included.
Pepper fans or those who want to be can buy the Maestro pepper bar in the Peugeot Online Shop at de.peugeot-saveurs.com or in stores for 84.90 euros. The Maestro pepper bar comes as a set with a recipe booklet and three types of pepper including pepper glasses. These are the varieties of black pepper from Cambodia, white pepper from Malaysia and Voatsiperifery pepper from Madagascar. More pepper or pepper blends can be discovered in the Peugeot Online Shop.