Black pepper seems to be a staple spice across much of the English speaking world, to the point that pepper dispensers (salt and pepper shakers) are pretty standard kit in any household. I don't think I'm alone in adding pepper to almost every meal (at cooking stage or after it's prepared), and it seems kind of bizarre that I consider this one spice essential to almost every meal. Why? How did pepper gain this place of prominence in our kitchens and meals? Were there other spices that had this special place in the past? Are there other spices that have this status in other parts of the world and if so, what are the historical reasons for this?