Fragrant pepper: useful properties. Application of sweet pepper

Not many of us have heard of the beneficial properties of sweet-scented peppers. In fact, it not only has a wonderful flavor, but is also very useful.

Description

Fragrant, or Jamaican, pepper is a spice, home to which are the Caribbean islands and South America. Sweet pepper is a blue-green fruit of a medicinal tree, which reaches 20 m in height and grows in countries with a hot tropical climate - Jamaica, Brazil, Antalya, Cuba, the Bahamas. It is worth noting that despite numerous attempts to cultivate medicinal piment in other localities with similar climatic conditions, it was not possible to achieve significant success. This plant very badly takes root in any other places. The reason for this lies in the peculiarities of the soils on which pymenta grows.

To get a fragrant spice, the unripened fruits, together with the inflorescences, are collected, then dried under a hot sun or in special ovens. Thoroughly dried peas acquire a brown color and become roughened. In this form, scented paprika, scented from inflorescence, is shipped all over the world as a very fragrant and valuable spice.

History of distribution

Indians in ancient times believed that sweet pepper has the properties of an aphrodisiac, especially in combination with cocoa. In India, piment was used for medicinal purposes, and the Maya tribes used it in rites to embalm the bodies of their leaders. In Europe, the piment was introduced by Christopher Columbus, who discovered him on the islands in the Caribbean in 1600. Since the beginning of the 18th century, sweet pepper began to be in demand in Europe, and especially among English gourmets, which gave it the name "all spices".

A characteristic feature of sweet pepper

The peculiarity of scented pepper is its unique aroma, combining in itself the shades of cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper and clove. Due to this quality, as well as sharpness, this spice has a wide range of applications. However, it is best to store the spice in the form of peas, because in its grinded form its delicate aroma quickly disappears.

Chemical structure of sweet pepper

Useful properties of sweet pepper are due to its rich chemical composition. It contains valuable essential oil of piment (about 4%), which contains tannins, fatty oils, resins, and other components such as:

• Fellandren;
• Eugenol;
• Cineole;
• Caryophyllene.

In addition, fragrant peppers are rich in vitamin C, retinol and B vitamins, as well as minerals of the right kind: potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iron, magnesium, selenium, copper, manganese.

Fragrant pepper: useful properties

The component composition of sweet pepper gives him a whole list of useful properties, among which we can distinguish:

• The giving of strength and vigor, the restoration of the vital energy of man, the tonic properties;
• Anti-inflammatory effect in the fight against parasites, as well as internal foci of infections;
• Fixing effect, provided by tannins in the composition of pepper;
• Normalization of water-salt balance in the body;
• Help with rheumatic diseases, arthritis, jamming of vertebrae and nerve endings.

Application of sweet pepper

The delicate spicy aroma and taste of sweet pepper has a demand in many spheres of life. In particular, pimenta is highly valued and is actively used in the industrial perfume industry for making perfumes and toilet waters. Fragrant pepper is added in the manufacture of personal care products, for example, toilet soap, and also included in the air fresheners to get rid of unpleasant odors.

Pepper fragrant, whose properties we are considering, is especially widely used in cooking. Each careful housewife in the kitchen must have fragrant peppers, because it gives all dishes a delicate, exceptional taste and aroma.

As a rule, Jamaican pepper is used in the form of peas, but it can also be used in the ground form. Ground sweet pepper has found application in confectionery products, for example muffins or biscuits, as it gives baking notes of cinnamon and nutmeg at the same time. Not infrequently sweet pepper is added to drinks, for example wine from barley or mulled wine, as well as tea or coffee. Experienced cooks advise to grind the pepper immediately before use so that it does not lose its flavor.

However, especially often sweet-scented peppers can be found:

• In the composition of the first dishes - soups, borscht, ears, ragout;
• In the main dishes - from fish, beef and pork meat, poultry, vegetables;
• In sauces for salads and main dishes, in fillings and marinades for meat and fish.

According to the recommendations of professional chefs, when preparing dishes, fragrant peppers should be added at the very beginning, as he needs time to give his taste and aroma. At the end of the cooking process, pea pepper should be removed.

In the food industry fragrant peppers are primarily used in the manufacture of minced meat for sausages and sausages, sausages, pates and brawn.

In the production of some varieties of hard cheese, fragrant pepper is also used. In addition, this spice is an indispensable component of the famous and beloved Indian curry seasoning.

Treatment with pepper fragrant

Useful qualities of sweet pepper are widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of various kinds of diseases. In particular, to quickly relieve the digestive disorder, several peas of sweet pepper should be swallowed without chewing, and drink them with clean water. Improvement should come after a short time. If there is no effect, you need to drink a few more sweet peas. This effect of pepper is caused by the presence in its composition of a large number of tannins, so it can serve as an economical alternative to expensive medicines. In addition, tea with the addition of several peas of sweet pepper can relieve flatulence and bloating.

Sweet pepper is often used to treat rheumatic pains, as well as problems with vertebra and nerve endings. For relief of pain from the sweet pea they make an ointment. It is made from pre-boiled and ground to a powdery state of sweet pepper.

When the pigmentation of the skin, i.e. vitiligo, is abnormal, the powder of sweet-scented pepper promotes active production of skin pigment. For medicinal purposes, it should be regularly added to food.

The treatment with fragrant pepper is effective for coughing, lack of appetite and digestive disorders, delays in menstruation and urine, it is also used as an anthelmintic. For these purposes, chopped peppers are taken before meals 3 times a day for 1 gram.

Magnesium, which is part of Jamaican pepper, is a necessary component for stimulating brain activity. Therefore, applying it to food is useful for the brain.

Limitations in the use of pepper fragrant

Like any substance, sweet pepper has a number of restrictions when used, as well as contraindications. First of all, you should not use this spice for people with an allergic reaction and individual intolerance to fragrant peppers or any of its components.

Anyone who has any kind of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, use it for treatment is strictly not recommended.

Also with caution should be used sweet pepper in pregnancy, because in large quantities it irritates the organs of the digestive tract and can harm the child. It is advisable in this period to completely exclude it from the diet.

Be healthy!