Black Peppercorns

Our pepper grinder was empty when I went to use it just now so I refilled it with peppercorns from a bag we had in the kitchen drawer.

The peppercorn bag label said they were "best before April 2004".

They look OK though. Do you think I might die next time I put a bit of freshly-ground pepper on my poached egg?

Yes, black peppercorn is poisonous in itself. As it gets older the poisons become more concentrated. If you eat them you will certainly die an agonising and slow death equalled only by the death that comes after listening to heavy metal for anything more than 5 minutes.

Trust me, I'm an expert.

Oh. I was rather hoping for "they might have lost a bit if flavour but you'll be OK" rather than that.

I have another bag. "Best before October 2004" this time. Do you think they'll be any better?

I would say worse than the April ones. I read somewhere a while ago that black peppercorns are at their most poisonous around October. I'm sure Delia Knecht will be back to tell us if I am right or not.

mouldyoldgoat wrote:

I would say worse than the April ones. I read somewhere a while ago that black peppercorns are at their most poisonous around October. I'm sure Delia Knecht will be back to tell us if I am right or not.

It's confirmed. Black peppercorns in October are almost certain to bring a slow painful death, October 6th to be precise. Get to Tesco and by some fresh peppercorns, quickly. Don't forget to bypass that cheesy stuff made from your brother and sister goats. 

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

Our pepper grinder was empty when I went to use it just now so I refilled it with peppercorns from a bag we had in the kitchen drawer.

The peppercorn bag label said they were "best before April 2004".

They look OK though. Do you think I might die next time I put a bit of freshly-ground pepper on my poached egg?

Don't do it! There's even a discussion page about it here:

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I ate gone off fish yesterday. It was tasty.

There are fungi that if you eat them you are perfectly OK for a few days then all of a sudden you wake up one morning and you are dead.

Mock Cuncher wrote:

I ate gone off fish yesterday. It was tasty.

Fish will spoil as opposed to giving you food poisoning (so you should be ok). The only exceptions are the pelagic types (especially Mackerel) which if temperature abused/ old will develop histamines which can give a quite severe reaction to people with histamine intolerance.

The Black peppercorns should be fine despite the age- the BBE means the quality won't be as good. Use By means eat by that date.

Educated wanker

Greenjock wrote:

Educated wanker

Who you calling educated?!

knecht wrote:

you wake up one morning and you are dead.

FFS.

Chemical Ali wrote:

Mock Cuncher wrote:

I ate gone off fish yesterday. It was tasty.

Fish will spoil as opposed to giving you food poisoning (so you should be ok). The only exceptions are the pelagic types (especially Mackerel) which if temperature abused/ old will develop histamines which can give a quite severe reaction to people with histamine intolerance.

The Black peppercorns should be fine despite the age- the BBE means the quality won't be as good. Use By means eat by that date.

Spoil Sport!!!  

Just making my launches (lunches)for next week, it is home made veg soup, should I put in white or black pepper? I be put on an eating plan.

You put white pepper in whitish things so that you don't get unseemly black specks in it. I don't think it matters much in vegetable soup which you use.

I have loads of really nice, mature black peppercorns if you want to make me an offer for them.

Tgwu wrote:

Just making my launches for next week, it is home made veg soup, should I put in white or black pepper? I be put on an eating plan.

Are you a boat builder or a pirate ?

Thanks for the offer, I have enough to put in. it is on now cooking

IsThatHHP? wrote:

Tgwu wrote:

Just making my launches for next week, it is home made veg soup, should I put in white or black pepper? I be put on an eating plan.

Are you a boat builder or a pirate ?

My glasses is a bit steamed up

Tgwu wrote:

IsThatHHP? wrote:

Tgwu wrote:

Just making my launches for next week, it is home made veg soup, should I put in white or black pepper? I be put on an eating plan.

Are you a boat builder or a pirate ?

My glasses is a bit steamed up

Take them off when cooking but be careful what you put in the pot !!

Would not be able to see the pot.

Sausages are usually made with white pepper?