Pepper Glossary

Pepper, particularly black pepper, serves multiple purposes in the kitchen, enhancing flavor and health. As a versatile spice, it adds a distinct warmth and mild heat to various dishes, from savory soups and meats to vegetables and sauces. Its sharp, pungent taste amplifies the natural flavors of other ingredients, making it a staple in seasoning blends and marinades, which can help home cooks use less salt. Beyond flavor, pepper also offers health benefits, including aiding digestion and possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable addition to both culinary and wellness routines.

There are many different types of pepper available in markets and you don’t have just to pick black or white.

Here's a glossary of common culinary pepper spices:

1. Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

  • Description: Dried, unripe berries of the pepper plant, commonly used in ground or whole form.

  • Flavor: Sharp, pungent, slightly citrusy, and mildly hot.

  • Use: Universal spice for seasoning savory dishes, soups, and marinades. You can purchase various grind textures from coarse to fine.

2. White Pepper

  • Description: Same plant as black pepper, but with the outer skin removed before drying.

  • Flavor: Milder than black pepper with a slightly earthy, fermented taste.

  • Use: Used in light-colored dishes like soups, sauces, and mashed potatoes to avoid dark specks.

3. Cayenne Pepper

  • Description: Ground dried cayenne chili peppers (Capsicum annuum). Bright red in color.

  • Flavor: Fiery, hot, and slightly fruity.

  • Use: Adds heat to dishes like soups, stews, and spice rubs.

4. Paprika

  • Description: Ground from dried sweet or hot peppers, typically from the Capsicum annuum family. Varieties include sweet, smoked, and hot.

  • Flavor: Ranges from mild and sweet to hot and smoky.

  • Use: Common in Hungarian and Spanish dishes and for seasoning meats and garnishing, but it is also used in rubs for roasted chicken to impart a beautiful color and flavor. A dash of paprika can be a pretty garnish for mashed potatoes, potato salad, and many other dishes.

5. Chili Powder

  • Description: A blend of dried ground chili peppers, often combined with cumin, garlic powder, and oregano.

  • Flavor: Mildly hot with earthy undertones, depending on the blend.

  • Use: Used in Tex-Mex, chili con carne, and as a base for seasoning blends. Experiment with many different types of chili powder, from green hatch chilis to various blends offered by spice vendors.

6. Aleppo Pepper

  • Description: Dried and coarsely ground pepper flakes from the Aleppo pepper. Often used in Middle Eastern cuisine.

  • Flavor: Moderately hot with a fruity, slightly tangy flavor.

  • Use: Sprinkled over roasted vegetables, soups, salads, or grilled meats. It is a beautiful red spice with a rich heat.

7. Korean Gochugaru

  • Description: Coarsely ground dried red chili peppers, a staple in Korean cooking.

  • Flavor: Mild to medium heat with a sweet, smoky, and slightly fruity flavor.

  • Use: Used in kimchi, stews, and marinades for Korean BBQ. And use it on veggies, salads, soups, and many rice dishes.

8. Sichuan Peppercorn

  • Description: Dried husks of the prickly ash tree, not related to traditional pepper. Known for its numbing effect.

  • Flavor: Spicy, citrusy, and numbing.

  • Use: Key ingredient in Sichuan cuisine, especially in hot pots and stir-fries.

9. Chipotle Powder

  • Description: Ground smoked and dried jalapeños.

  • Flavor: Smoky with medium heat and a deep, earthy flavor.

  • Use: Adds a smoky kick to rubs, sauces, and stews.

10. Urfa Biber

  • Description: Dried Turkish chili pepper with a dark, almost black appearance.

  • Flavor: Smoky, earthy, and slightly raisin-like with a moderate heat.

  • Use: Sprinkled on meats, vegetables, and used in Mediterranean dishes.

This list covers a wide range of pepper spices used in culinary applications globally.

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Judy Doherty

I am a food, beverage, and CPG product photographer specializing in photos, stop motion, and video, with over 90,000 photos and motion graphics delivered. Clients hire me for my eye, creative direction, and passion for taking their idea to the next level.

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