Fish Soup
A clear fish broth with tender sea bass, potato, carrot and fresh herbs.
The Turkish pantry
Peppercorns (black)
Whole black peppercorns can season a broth or spiced drink without leaving fine pepper throughout it. Crush or grind only when the recipe calls for it.
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Whole dried black peppercorns, not chili flakes or a mixed pepper blend. Ground black pepper comes from the same spice but disperses differently in a liquid.
Types & forms
Whole
Useful when a liquid will be strained; keep the peppercorns whole when the recipe specifies them.
Crushed or ground
Releases pepper into the food more directly and is harder to remove. Match the recipe’s form rather than changing it unnoticed.
What to look for when buying
- Choose a labeled pack of whole black peppercorns, with no added salt or other spices when plain pepper is required.
- Buy an amount you can use while aromatic. A pepper mill must be suitable for whole peppercorns.
Prepare & cook
- Add whole peppercorns to the broth or drink at the stage directed. Strain them out before serving when the recipe specifies straining.
- For freshly ground pepper, grind just before use. Do not replace a counted quantity of whole peppercorns with the same count of spoonfuls.
Store it well
- Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry cupboard away from the hob, steam and direct sunlight.
- Use a dry spoon and replace pepper that has lost its aroma; discard any product affected by moisture or mold.
Substitutions depend on the dish
Ground black pepper
Changes the texture and cannot be strained out in the same way; use only if the recipe allows it.
Chili or allspice
Different spices with different flavors, not direct replacements for black peppercorns.
Nutrition
Whole black peppercorns [1]
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 251 kcal |
| Protein | 10.4 g |
| Total fat | 3.26 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.39 g |
| Carbohydrate | 64 g |
| Dietary fiber | 25.3 g |
| Total sugars | 0.64 g |
| Sodium | 20 mg |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Calcium | 443 mg |
| Iron | 9.71 mg |
| Potassium | 1,330 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg |
USDA reference per 100 g of black pepper; the original record explicitly includes a whole-peppercorn measure. Not a strained broth or drink. Values are rounded for readability; “not reported” does not mean zero. A “<” value is below the source’s measurement limit.
Nutrition values come from the reference source named above. They are published reference values, not our own measurements. Actual products and cooking methods may change the values.
At the Turkish table
Our fish soup and Kaynar use whole peppercorns in liquids. These are two practical uses of the whole spice, rather than a claim that every Turkish soup or drink includes pepper.
Cook with Peppercorns (black)
Adana-Style Herb Tea
A warm spice infusion with galangal, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, topped with walnuts. In Adana, kaynar is associated with visits celebrating a new baby. That cultural association does not establish a medical or lactation benefit; this is a culinary serving recipe.