If you are interested in pepper--its provenance, history, taste, and uses-then this is a book for you. J.E. Barth recounts the fascinating history of pepper from ancient times through the present and traces the challenges at each step of the pepper supply chain as it make its way from the growers to the kitchens and dining tables around the world. He covers quality assessment, storage, processing, taste and uses of pepper, including its cosmetic and pharmacological applications. A selection of recipes is included to provide a flavourful backdrop to this tasty guide to the world's most popular spice.