Black peppercorns have been used in cooking since 200 BC and originate from Kerala in India. Pepper, traded worldwide, is the most widely used spice of all. It is known for its medicinal properties, but its unique spiciness makes it so sought-after. How do we maximize that flavor, and is it best to use a pepper grinder or pre-ground pepper when preparing dishes?
Using a pepper grinder is unquestionably the best way to get the most flavor from peppercorns, as the volatile oils that give them their unique taste start to oxidize immediately after being ground. There are some advantages of using pre-ground, but they are more to do with convenience than taste.
There is pre-ground pepper on the shelves of every supermarket and grocery store, so there must be a good reason why so many Americans choose it over grinding their pepper. Is it the taste, the convenience, or is it less expensive? Before making a judgment call, it’s worth looking at the difference between pre-ground and freshly made pepper using a pepper grinder.
Pepper Grinder Vs. Pre-Ground Pepper: Which Is Better?
Just as coffee lovers will insist that nothing beats the taste of fresh-ground coffee beans, gourmets are adamant that freshly ground peppercorns are much better than pre-ground pepper.
What’s The Difference Between Pre-Ground Pepper And Freshly-Ground?
Peppercorns come in different forms, white, green, red, and black. Black peppercorns are used in most dishes and incorporated into most recipes. White peppercorns are black peppercorns with the skin removed, red peppercorns are slightly less ripe, and green peppercorns are unripe.
There is a pink peppercorn as well, but it is a berry from the Brazilian pepper, a different plant from that from which the others are derived.
Pre-ground pepper is a fine powder derived from the berries of the Piper nigrum, a plant native to India. Those berries, picked and dried, form peppercorns used in pepper grinders to produce freshly ground pepper. So, it’s the same product, made differently, each with its pros and cons.
Pros Of Pre-Ground Pepper
To be honest, there’s not much to be said about the advantages of using pre-ground pepper instead of a pepper grinder. There’s a unanimous opinion that freshly ground is better than pre-ground, but there are situations where you might choose to use pre-ground pepper:
- A pinch of pre-ground pepper is a lot less hassle when you’re doing a quick dish that just needs a dash of flavor.
- Pre-ground pepper is still tasty, so it is okay for recipes that call for pepper among a list of spices – you probably won’t notice the difference.
- For example, if you’re camping, it’s more convenient to have a pack of pre-ground pepper handy rather than peppercorns and a grinder.
Cons Of Pre-Ground Pepper
There’s nothing terrible about pre-ground pepper, but it’s less tasty than pepper fresh from a pepper grinder.
- The volatile oilsin the peppercorn begin dissipating as soon as its ground, and they contain a lot of the spicy taste and aroma.
- The finer the grain, the more exposure there is to the air, and the quicker the oxidation processaffects the taste and quality of the pepper.
- Coarsely ground or cracked peppercorns add textureto a dish, while pre-ground pepper is too fine to do this.
- The health benefitsof pepper are reduced as it ages, and some pre-ground pepper may have been packaged months before it is used.
There are plenty of positives about pepper, which we’ll detail, but first, let’s examine the pros and cons of using a pepper grinder instead of pre-ground pepper.
The Pros Of Using A Pepper Grinder
Apart from the satisfaction you feel from the physical act of grinding that fresh pepper onto your steak or salad, there are plenty of pros to using a pepper grinder.
- The pepper is pure – no additives, no preservatives, just pure ground peppercorns.
- The taste is different – the piperine that gives pepper its “bite” and the volatile oils which add the fruity berry flavor quickly oxidize and diminish in strength, so the fresher the pepper, the more undertones of flavor will be evident.
· The grain size can be selected – you may want a fine grain to add to a soup or a chunky cracked peppercorn to top your steak, and most grinders are adjustable to give a variety of grain sizes.
- You can customize your pepper by combining black, white, and red peppercorns in whatever proportion appeals to your tastebuds. Most pre-ground pepper is either black or white.
- The health benefits of using pepperare far greater when it’s freshly ground. Pepper is said to lower cholesterol levels, control blood sugar, and, being high in antioxidants, is a weapon against cancer.
The Cons Of A Pepper Grinder
As we’ve mentioned more than once, the gourmet cook will choose freshly ground pepper every time, but there are a few reasons why a grinder is not always ideal.
- Getting the grinderout every time you need a dash of pepper can be inconvenient.
- Grinders need maintenance – the blades get blunt, the mechanism gets clogged, and the whole grinder needs to be cleaned regularly. Sometimes it’s just easier to use pre-ground pepper.
Which Method is The Most Commonly Used?
Because pre-ground is more convenient than grinding peppercorns every time you need a pinch of pepper, it is more widely used in American kitchens. It’s also significantly cheaper, which makes it more accessible for people on a budget.
However, with greater interest in healthy eating, pepper grinders are becoming more common. It is the norm in restaurants rather than pre-ground pepper. You will also find ready-filled small pepper grinders on most supermarkets’ shelves, which are a good substitute for packs of pre-ground pepper.
Conclusion
In comparing pre-ground pepper with freshly-ground pepper from a grinder, there’s only one conclusion – if you’re able to use a grinder, do so. You’ll get a tastier, spicier, and healthier pepper. If it’s not convenient or you prefer the taste of pre-ground pepper, that’s fine – you’ll still be enjoying the benefits of the world’s most commonly used spice.
