Abstract

Known as the "King" of spices, black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and the "Queen" of spices, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum M.), both perennial crops of the tropics, are the most important and most widely sought after spice crops of the world. They both have many uses, for example, both are used as flavourings and as a medicine.

This book provides a comprehensive review of these two very important spice crops, covering origin, history, geographical distribution, production, economy and their uses.

• Discusses the two major spices of great economic value to the developing world
• The author is an eminent scientist who has won numerous awards for his work in this area

"This is an effective alternative to the chemically propelled industrial agriculture of Green Revolution that has resulted in adverse environmental fallout on Indian soils. Black Pepper has a chequered history. It was in fact the 'spice war' between the Arabs, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British that led to the colonisation of India, which began with the landing of Vasco da Gama on Kappad beach. In the book, Prbhakaran Nair traces the origin, history, global spread, development, agronomy, nutrition, economy, world trade, pharmacopoeia and end products of the two spice crops of the world, known as the 'king' and 'queen' of spices. The book has been launched by Elsevier International. The electronic book has been launched on the new 'Elsevier Insights' project, a new concept in electronic publishing."--bnlive.in.com