Monday 5 October 2015

Black Pepper the Currency Spices in ancient times.

Pepper, Black Pepper, Blanc Poivre, Hu Jiao, Kali Mirchi, Maricha or scientific name Piper Nigrum are well known spice widely used in every household around the world. Originated from India, this spice has been known to Indian cooking since at least 2000 BCE.
Young Pepper corn and black pepper
History

Pepper has played a very important role throughout history and has been a prized spice since ancient times. Often referred as "black gold" and used as a form of commodity money. Known in Greece as early as the 4th century BCE, pepper held such high prestige probably an uncommon and expensive item that only the very rich could afford.  It was not only used for seasoning but as a currency and to pay taxes and ransoms it was also use as sacred offering to honor the god.  During the fall of ancient Rome, the invading barbarians were even honoured by being given black pepper. It is said that Alaric the Visigoth and Attila the Hun each demand from Rome a ransom of more than a ton of pepper when they besieged the city in 5th century.

referred to as "black gold" and used as a form of commodity money
Until during Middle Ages, the wealth of a man was oftentimes measured by his stockpile of pepper. Virtually all of the black pepper found in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa traveled there from India's Malabar region.
Black pepper found in Europe, Middle East and North African traveled there by Malabar region.
Black pepper comes from the pepper plant, a smooth woody vine that can grow up to 33 feet in hot and humid tropical climates


Benefit

Besides using black pepper as Seasoning and spice, Black pepper is commonly used to treat some illness such as nausea, stomach ache, abdominal flatulence and abdominal bloating; it is also used to treat of constipation and to treat people with a lack of appetite.
As for herbal remedy, the essential oil from the black pepper is used to reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatic pain and to treat the painful sensations associated with toothaches and other dental problems. The black pepper based herbal remedies are also known to have antiseptic and antibacterial actions, and they are used in bringing down the temperature of fever.

The Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology reported that the compound piperine in black pepper increases the cognitive function of the brain and helps beat depression. Research found that pepper eaten on a regular basis helps the brain function properly. Add it to your daily meal, or eat it as seasoning on a salad. Pepper in any form can make you smarter and less depressed.
Another research carried out by the University of Michigan Cancer Center, black pepper was found to prevent the development of breast cancer tumors. They found that the piperine content of black pepper plays a key role in preventing cancers.
whole black pepper




Black pepper is available whole, crushed or ground into powder. To ensure best flavor, buy whole peppercorns and grind them yourself . In addition, buying whole peppercorns will help to ensure that you are purchasing unprocessed pepper since ground pepper is oftentimes mixed with other spices. Whole peppercorns should be heavy, compact and free of any blemishes.



For More Infomation on Buying good quality of black pepper please Contact Muhibah International at Enquiry@muhibah.international



Reference
Heinemann, J. (2013). Food and chemical toxicology. Food And Chemical Toxicology, 53, 442. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2012.10.055




Read More

Sunday 13 September 2015

Halal Food Why?

What is Halal??????




Halal Logo Around the world
Halal describe by Muslim community as permissible or lawful both for food and action of daily life. Many Non-muslims describe it as permissible food.
Today I am going to discuss about food. Since many still not clear about how halal food is prepare and what is halal food about. As many people know Muslim are prohibited to consume pork or pork derive product like bacon, ham and gelatine. Not only that, Alcohol, animal that live in water and land like reptile, animal with claw like tiger, animal that already dead before slaughtering.

Living in multi culture country and frequent traveler, I always been asked “why must slaughter?” “It is still the same chicken is chicken and we understand that Muslim is prohibit to eat pork, we don’t serve pork.”

Why Halal?????



Is this meat slaughter according to Muslim law?


Halal is better for health. The halal method of preparing animals is hygienic. Why I say so? The animal must be treated well before slaughter. The animal must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter. The sharp object was use to cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe to drain all the blood, toxin and waste. This method allows maximum drainage of blood from animal body. Blood in meat makes more susceptible to ruin the taste not only that  blood that carries toxins, germs and bacteria will potentially make people who eat it sick.
Animal from farm to go to table as halal food must live pure life from beginning, should not be confined to an area where they cannot move or get fresh air. It should be fed clean water and appropriate food not feed with other animal or product that derive by other animal, basically for cow and goat they must grass fed. 


photo credit from theguardian.com



I hope with little information that i share here will make non Muslim understand and respect our choice as Muslim. Even,Celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver,First Lady Michelle Obama, and well-known food writers such as Michael Pollan and Alice Waters are heading it up promoting clean eating.
so eating halal a way of life to promote our well being...










Reference

Park, A. (2015). Is Halal Food Healthier?TIME.com. Retrieved 12 September 2015, from http://time.com/3975785/is-halal-meat-healthier-than-conventional-meat/

Informatics, I. (2015). What is Halal? In Islam, Halal is an Arabic term meaning “lawful or permissible” and not only encompasses food and drink, but all matters of daily life.Isaiowa.org. Retrieved 12 September 2015, from http://www.isaiowa.org/Content/Halal-Information.

Muslimvoices.org,. (2015). Why Halal Food Is Good For Everyone. Retrieved 12 September 2015, from http://muslimvoices.org/halal-food-good/


Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan

Edible Schoolyard by Alice Waters

Read More