The dry and unique fruit of the dioica pimento, a perennial tropical tree of the myrtos family, is one of the best known spices on the shelves of the stores. The sweet pepper is used in the cuisine around the world, but the origin of this spice comes from Latin America. It is not used in food as a spicy pepper, but for its subtle aroma.
This fragrant fruit tree grows in all the Caribbean islands and is especially common in the Antilles, including Cuba and Barbados. The benefits and damages of the sweet pepper are broad, since it can be used to aromatize desserts, garrisons, main dishes and spicy drinks such as hot wine and hot cider.
Origin
Jamaica’s pepper was first cultivated by Columbus during his second trip to the Western Indies, but the spice did not take root in Europe, since the Europeans did not appreciate all the positive qualities of the pepper until the seventeenth century. The Jewish Sephardic refugees who lived in Santiago de la Vega (Spain) and Port Royal (Jamaica) sent sweet aroma pepper to the merchants of the Old World ports. Mainly, the spice was sent to Constantinople, Venice, Genoa, Amsterdam and London.
When the English liked the pepper, they started using it in brine to take vegetables and in the elaboration of stews. As most of the commercial production of Jamaica pepper continued to come from this country, the product became known throughout Latin America.
The natural distribution area of the Mirto with its spicy fruit extends to the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, and then to the south, to Central and South America. In these regions the robust trees grow from 4, 500 m to 6, 000 m high.
The peanuts of the Yucatecan Chile have a completely different flavor to those of their Jamaican counterparts. In the tropical and aggregate climate of Mexico, sweet peppers are known as fat pepper or tabasco pepper, and are sold throughout the country. This last name, Tabasco pepper, can actually be the origin of the famous “Tabasco pepper”.
What is Tabasco’s pepper?
Sweet pepper is a kind authorized in the market after the drying process of the fruit of a tropical tree. Externally, the spice resembles pepper grains. The origin of the sweet pepper is Jamaica and also is called Jamaican pepper. Europeans have adopted this kind in European and Mediterranean cuisine.
Like other spices varieties, Jamaica pepper is used in small quantities in recipes. The pepper contains essential oil officinalis oil, which is used against colds, gastrointestinal disorders and menstruation due to the high concentration of Eugenol, an antimicrobial and ant i-inflammatory component.
The benefits of spice
The sweet pepper is specific, so its benefits and damages are due to its rich chemical composition. It has a high content of vitamin C, retinol and valuable vitamins of group B. Minerals are also very diverse in the composition of the spice: iron, manganese, zinc and other equally important elements. The chemical composition of pepper also contains powerful tannins and essential oil.
The useful properties of this variety of pepper do not end there, and the composition of this fruit includes:
- Eugenol. It is derived from phenylpropene. It is known for its potential antibacterial, antifungal, ant i-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
- Quercetin is a type of flavonoid, a powerful antioxidant that can fight the harmful molecules called free radicals. Its antioxidant capacity can have ant i-cancer properties, and is also known for its possible antiviral and ant i-inflammatory effects.
- Galic acid is another powerful antioxidant. It has been studied for its possible protective effects on brain health, especially to prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases.
- Ericifoline is a phenolic compound with antibacterial and anticancer properties.
Jamaica pepper damages
The use of Jamaica pepper should be treated with caution, since it involves health risks. First, the spice has specific taste characteristics and cannot be consumed simply in large quantities. Secondly, there are contraindications related to individual intolerance. If a person has no allergic reactions to Jamaica pepper, there are no other restrictions for the use of the spice.
Sweet pepper: its benefits and damages for health depend on the moderation with which this spice is added to various culinary delicacies, and that the dishes are condemned in moderation. Pepper should only be tested in very small doses in schoo l-age children, pregnant women and those who suffer hyperacidity from gastric juice.
Ground peas
Whole peas seem to be brown peas. Like other spices, he quickly loses his strong aroma. To obtain the strongest aromatic effect of peppers, you can buy whole peas and grind them in a mortar or in a kitchen blender.
Flavor characteristics
Sweet peppers are not a mixture of other spices, but only their notes and combinations in the aroma can be captured. Jamaica’s pepper is a kind with a warm flavor similar to that of the nail. It also contains cineol, which gives it a fresh flavor with a peculiar touch.
It also contains cariophilene, which gives pepper a loving flavor. According to many chefs, this pepper combines a complex composition of aromas formed by cinnamon, nutmeg, nail and spicy pepper.
How can I replace the pepper in the kitchen?
If the recipe requires adding Jamaica pepper in the form of peas, it can replace it with a mixture of certain spices. You will have to mix in the same parts ground nail, cinnamon and nutmeg. Jamaica pepper can also be replaced by ground black pepper. Calculate the amount of pepper for the dishes as follows: 6 Jamaica pepper peas equals between 1/4 and 1/2 teaspoon of this type of pepper, but ground. If entire peppers have been added to a soup or stew, it is important to remove them from the plate after cooking.
Culinary uses
Pepper grains are not the only part of the tropical tree suitable for spicy or spicy foods. It turns out that fresh leaves of the pimenta dioica tree give the dishes a richness similar to the aroma of the bay leaf. In Latin America, the leaves are used to smoke meat and sausage.
Recipes with Jamaica pepper
In Mediterranean countries, people simply cannot imagine a meat sauce that goes well with spaghetti without Jamaica pepper with Jamaica pepper. It is also one of the main ingredients of the marinade of the Jamaican chicken cecina, because it combines very well with nutmeg, lime juice, ginger, thyme and other ingredients. This spice is also used in the elaboration of wine.
Examples of spicy dishes with Jamaica pepper
- The peppers are usually added to the brine to marinate fish (for example, herring) and vegetables. The peppers harmonize in a pickle with whole nails, mustard beans, black pepper and bay leaf;
- One of the best sneakers is that of boiled pepper grains in water and apple cider vinegar with mustard grains, bay leaf, black pepper and salt;
- The filling of minced meat cakes is usually prepared with spices, including Jamaica pepper. It is combined with ginger, nutmeg and paprika;
- harmonizes with the ingredients of pumpkin desserts;
- Hot winter drinks, such as hot wine and spicy apple cider, are prepared with whole jamaica pepper;
- The apple cake can be aromatized with a mixture of two pinch of ground jamaica and cinnamon;
- Swedish meatballs usually get minced beef and pork and breadcrumbs. Swedish meatballs are seasoned with this aroma, along with nutmeg and ginger.
In all Britain, spicy peppers are especially popular at Christmas. The English Christmas pudin, the winter ginger bread and the cakes combine the warmth of Jamaica’s pepper with cinnamon, nail and nutmeg. Jamaica’s pepper is also a popular spice in Greek cuisine, since it is used to season tomato and marinade sauces.
Where to buy spices
Jamaica pepper and pepper are sold along with other spices in the spices section of most groceries. In supermarkets they are sold in packages. You can buy quality spices in the bazaar or in stores that sell both whole and crushed.
Storage place
Save the fresh Jamaica pepper and ready to use in a hermetic jar or other container away from direct sunlight. It is not necessary to freeze or cool this kind.
Conclusion
The entire fruits of this Jamaican spice can be added safely to any meat that will be all over. Pepper grains are served as part of cereal porrides, with vegetables, fruits and other spices. They are included in spicy salad recipes. And as a note to the margin for beginners, this fragrant spice is indispensable when it comes to type and conserve for winter.
