John Evelyn's Salad Sermon #5 Pepper

Given we are in the winter months, John's thoughts on pepper are particularly relevant:

Hot and dry in a high degree; of approv'd Vertue against all flatulency proceeding from cold and phlegmatic Constitutions, and generally all Crudities whatsoever; and therefore for being of universal use to correct and temper the cooler Herbs; It is a never to be omitted Ingredient of our Sallets.


He gives a firm warning though as he states if you grind pepper too small it sticks in the folds of the stomach resulting in fire of the blood and a cardialgium (heartburn).

Basically, it's a fine line between curing wind and needed a hefty dose of Gaviscon.  Go easy with that pestle and mortar folks...

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