Today there are many seasonings, among which various varieties of pepper are especially popular. This product is in great demand. Among the wide range you can find not only white, black and allspice, but also pink. Of course, this spice appeared on the shelves relatively recently. However, she quickly gained popularity. It is worth noting that seasoning has nothing to do with pepper. It looks very much like him. However, pink pepper, whose aroma differs significantly from other seasonings, has a not very pronounced pungent taste.
Where is it growing?
This seasoning is the fruit of the chinus tree, which grows in faraway Brazil. Despite the confusion with the name, pink pepper is widely used in cooking. After all, this spice has a unique taste that combines cranberry acidity and a hint of anise.
Chinus tree can be found, of course, not only in Brazil. This plant grows in the USA. It can also be seen in Australia, Paraguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands. However, pink pepper is mainly supplied from Reunion Island. Seasoning is made from the fruits of several varieties of chinus tree: soft and pistachio. The latter plant is small in size. As a rule, a pistachio tree grows no more than 10 meters in height.
What is this spice?
As already mentioned, pink pepper is a mixture of the fruits of several varieties of chinus. In shape and taste, the berries resemble the usual pepper. Thanks to this, spice got its name. The red-pink hue of the fruits makes them more similar to cranberries than to classic peppers.
Fresh pink pepper, the aroma of which causes appetite, is not much like widespread spices. It has no burning taste. On the contrary, it is slightly sweet. Of course, after eating berries, the aftertaste remains, which can only be compared with ginger root. However, this is not an exact description. The taste of seasoning contains almost imperceptible notes of anise and menthol, as well as a slightly resinous flavor. Pink pepper peas is a very unusual spice. And this applies not only to its taste, but also to its smell.
How to keep the taste?
The smell of pink pepper is simply unique. Seasoning is prepared in a very unusual way. To preserve all the taste and useful qualities of the product, the fruits of the bus are to be dried, which is carried out by deep freezing, salting or pickling.
However, while the spice gets to the shelves of our country, it is further processed. As a result, almost nothing remains of the real taste of this spice. To reveal the unique aroma and taste of the spice, it is necessary to dry it a little over a small fire. This can be done with a regular pan. You do not need to add oil.
There is another way that reveals the taste of pink pepper. The spice can be ground to a powder state. In this form, seasoning must be immediately added to the dish.
Pink pepper: application
Chinus fruits are commonly used in cooking. In many countries, this seasoning is added to various sweets, pastries and drinks. In addition, pink pepper is often added to sauces, salads, and dishes with seafood, poultry, meat and fish. Some popular restaurants serve asparagus seasoned with this particular spice.
Pink pepper is often added to various mixtures. In this composition, spice can improve the taste of almost any dish. Recently, a seasoning such as Four Peppers has become popular, which is a mixture of white, green, black and pink peppers. The last component in this composition almost loses its flavor. After all, in a crushed form, pink pepper is not able to maintain its taste for a long time.
Do not forget that this seasoning, even in fresh form, can not be stored for more than 6 months. You should also know that pink pepper in large quantities is toxic.
Useful qualities of spices
Pink pepper not only allows you to make any dish fragrant and piquant, but also has useful properties. First of all, spice positively affects the digestive system. Very often, pink peppercorns are used to treat diarrhea. In addition, seasoning can improve the cardiovascular system. Often, pink pepper is used for diseases such as rheumatism, gout and various types of arthritis.
Chinus fruits are also used in the manufacture of essential oils. For medical and cosmetic purposes, pink pepper is used with extreme caution, since there is a risk of skin irritation. In some cases, an allergic reaction may occur.
It is worthwhile to refuse the use of dishes with pink pepper to those who suffer from a stomach ulcer or gastritis. This spice can irritate the mucous membrane. This can cause an exacerbation of the disease.
How to choose the seasoning?
If you still decide to purchase an exotic seasoning with an unusual taste, then you should carefully consider the berries. The fruits of a high-quality bus should have a shiny surface and a bright shade. In this case, the berries should be not only round, but also large enough. You should not buy seasoning if there are a lot of black or gray grains in the package. This indicates a poor product quality. Naturally, such a seasoning is unlikely to bring benefits.