Piper nigrum
Black pepper
Heat, pine, a toasted flower.
Where it comes from. Tellicherry, Kerala. In cacio e pepe, pepper is not a seasoning: it is the ingredient.
The mistake everyone makes. The table mill left open for months. Toast whole, crush now.
An unexpected Italian use. Cacio e pepe, Tuscan peposo, a crust on beef fillet, the oil of pinzimonio.
The recipe. Tonnarelli, pecorino, pepper toasted then crushed. Pasta water. Never cream.
More spices
CardamomElettaria cardamomum
SaffronCrocus sativus
NutmegMyristica fragrans
CinnamonCinnamomum verum
ClovesSyzygium aromaticum
Wild fennelFoeniculum vulgare
ChiliCapsicum annuum
CuminCuminum cyminum
CorianderCoriandrum sativum
Star aniseIllicium verum
TurmericCurcuma longa
Tonka beanDipteryx odorata
Long pepperPiper longum
SumacRhus coriaria
FenugreekTrigonella foenum-graecum