You often hear rumors that black pepper is not only a great spice, but also a great aphrodisiac...
Regarding the rumor about whether pepper makes you happy, there is good news and moderate news.
The middle-class ones first
Piperine, the main ingredient in pepper, stimulates the circulation, warms the body and also stimulates the urinary tract. That all of this should have a positive effect on libido, as is sometimes claimed - well, at least medically, this is unfortunately not proven. But of course that doesn't mean that one can't still feel that way. As we all know, faith can move mountains, and imagination is the best stimulant anyway...
Now for the good news
You may not find it on every corner and certainly not in the supermarket, but it does exist: a special type of pepper that not only gets your circulation going, but also stimulates all of your other senses and can even put you into a euphoric, almost intoxicating state - not unlike the green grass that doesn't grow in any meadow.
Some of you probably already know: It's about the plant extract with the lovely children's name "Kava-Kava". It is extracted from the Kava plant, known in Latin as Piper methysticum , but popularly known as "intoxicating pepper".
Anyone who has ever been to Hawaii or one of the other western Pacific islands will probably have come across kava-kava. That is where the plant is native, and where it is still enjoyed quite extensively. Not in secret, as one might assume, but in fact very permitted and public: namely, whenever there is something to celebrate for religious, ritual or other cultural reasons.
But in other respects, people on this sunny spot on earth are not averse to helping the relaxed mood after work a little. You could even say: what we have is a cold beer, there is a peppery tea called kava-kava. At least if you ignore the fact that drinking it is usually a man's thing and even forbidden to women. At least that was the case in the past.
Kava-Kava
What makes kava kava so relaxing and even happy are the ingredients kavain and methysticin, known as kavalctones. They are found in the leaves, in the bark and in particularly high concentrations in the juicy rootstocks, which can weigh up to 10 kg. These substances have an anxiolytic effect, which means that they reduce restlessness and anxiety and instead give you a pleasantly euphoric feeling, make you talkative and cheerful. They also relieve physical pain, relieve muscle cramps and lead to a peaceful, restful sleep. In short: anyone who enjoys kava kava in moderate doses usually feels good all around - and clear-headed.
Kava-kava is prepared from fresh or dried leaves as a tea, which is often sipped from halved coconut shells. The taste is slightly spicy, like the related black pepper. Depending on taste or intention, the finely ground rootstock is also added. The really hardy ones mix a brew that has to ferment for two weeks because it contains high-proof alcohol, usually vodka. Sometimes the plants are simply chewed.
PS: If you're now interested in brewing yourself a different kind of tea, we recommend that you find out about the possible side effects beforehand. Better is better. The stuff certainly doesn't seem to be completely harmless.
