How does cooking with whole peppercorns compare to ground?
If you buy ground peppercorns you should always go for fresh ground because they taste completely different imo.
In bangladeshi cooking I notice that they use whole black peppercorns in their curry and discard it at the end. However would using it like this be equivalent to cooking with non fresh peppercorns as above?
My thinking is that if the taste between fresh ground and non fresh ground is so different, then cooking a whole peppercorn is like non fresh because the surface has been exposed to air for a long time.
Is my thinking correct or should cooking whole be considered cooking fresh, if so in what way?
Best Answer
For freshness, it is always best to purchase whole spices and use whole, crack, or grind them as needed. With respect to peppercorns (or, really any whole spices) the effect will be different when they are used whole, just cracked, or ground. The flavor will also be impacted by toasting the spices before use, and when they are added during the cooking process. The taste difference between all of these options can be significant. The bottom line is that you should have some idea of the effect you are trying to create with the spice, and how the treatment of that spice achieves the result you are looking for.
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Quick Answer about "How does cooking with whole peppercorns compare to ground?"
Whole peppercorns offer the freshest aroma and taste. Grind as needed in cooking or offer in a peppermill at the table. Freshly ground pepper is more flavorful than pepper sold ground, enhancing the taste of any dish where pepper is used.Can you use whole peppercorns in cooking?
With whole peppercorns you will eventually bite into one, giving a burst of peppery goodness. This works only if the dish is to be cooked enough to soften the corns. I love to do this in soups and meatloafs. It could also work in casseroles.Can you substitute ground pepper for whole peppercorns?
The most similar substitute for black peppercorns would be ground black pepper. To use ground black pepper in place of peppercorns, simply use \xbc teaspoon ground pepper for every teaspoon, or about 8 whole peppercorns, called for in the recipe.Do whole peppercorns soften when cooked?
However, peppercorns do not soften when cooked, so you need to take them out when you are done cooking. It is not pleasant to bite into a whole peppercorn.Do peppercorns dissolve when cooked?
Peppcorns don't dissolve. They soften, and they give up a lot of their flavour, but they don't dissolve.Black pepper vs. white pepper | which to use and why
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