peppercorns
Grinder's tiny cargo
Peppercorns are the dried berries of the pepper plant, ground to produce black pepper.
Black peppercorns are picked unripe and dried; white peppercorns have the outer layer removed; green peppercorns are harvested earlier and preserved.
A peppercorn rent is a nominal payment—so small as to be merely symbolic: The building was leased for a peppercorn rent of one dollar a year.
Darkest possible hue
- whiteAbsence of pigment
- greenColor of vegetation
- redPrimary color, warm
- SzechuanSouthwestern Chinese province/cuisine
pink · whole · cracked · coarse · fine · ground · dried · drupes
Substance improving food taste
- grinderCrushing or sharpening device
- millGrain-crushing facility
- spicePlant-derived food flavoring
- condimentFlavor-adding table sauce
flavoring · ingredient · marinade · brine · pickling · rub · crust · sauce
Sharply strong-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- hotHaving much warmth
- fieryIntensely hot or passionate
spicy · zesty · piquant · aromatic · earthy · warm · intense · heat
Historical exchange of aromatics
- commodityFungible traded good
- exportForeign-bound sale
- importObtain from overseas
- cultivationFostering growth through care
plantation · harvest · Silk Road · maritime · caravan · merchant · mercantilism · colonialism
black
Darkest possible hue
Szechuan · pink · whole · cracked · coarse · fine · ground · dried · drupes · berries
seasoning
Substance improving food taste
condiment · flavoring · ingredient · marinade · brine · pickling · rub · crust · sauce · cooking
pungent
Sharply strong-smelling
fiery · spicy · zesty · piquant · aromatic · earthy · warm · intense · heat · kick
spice trade
Historical exchange of aromatics
cultivation · plantation · harvest · Silk Road · maritime · caravan · merchant · mercantilism · colonialism · India
fragrant
Emitting pleasant smell
whiff · nose · perfumed · redolent · woodsy · resinous · warm · spicy · musty · fresh
- Indian cuisinegaram masala, turmeric powder, cumin, coriander, ghee
- Pepper Tradespice routes
- dry goodscoffee beans, spices, salt, sugar, wheat
- Peppercayenne, jalapeno, habanero, poblano, serrano
- Pickling Ingredientsvinegar, brine, pickling salt, dill, pickling spice
- seasoningssalt, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary
peppercornsbland
Lacking distinctive qualities
mild · unseasoned · flavorless · tasteless · plain
- peppercorn sauceCream sauce with dried berries
- Sichuan peppercornNumbing Chinese spice pod
- pink peppercornDried schinus berry, mild heat