Both black and white peppers are derived from a shrub from the Piper family. The fruits of this shrub are what are used as peppercorns. Pepper can be sold as peppercorns or ground depending on your preference. Pepper is used for a variety of cooking purposes and also has some specific medicinal benefits.
Pepper in cooking
Pepper is primarily used as a condiment and/or to add a slightly spicy and peppery flavour to cooking. Black pepper has a slightly spicier taste than white pepper which tends to be milder. It is also possible to buy a mix of the two peppers which is known as a mignonette and green peppercorns for an alternative taste.
Pepper can be used to add flavour to all kinds of dishes in the cooking process including meat, fish, vegetables and seafood. It is also often added to soup, sauces, mayonnaise, salad dressings, stews and casseroles to add flavour and a bit of heat. Some people will also season their food with pepper after cooking.
Pepper in medicine
Pepper has a variety of medicinal benefits. Many practitioners of alternative medicines use pepper to help with: