system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is black pepper a staple seasoning along with salt?

I can understand why salt is since saltiness occurs in most dishes and salt allows you to increase that, but why is black pepper right alongside salt always?
gpt
Salt enhances flavor while pepper compliments it. Black pepper specifically if kept correctly and ground fresh adds earthy, woody, citrus and spice without any capsaicin which is what almost all other spicy flavored ingredients are derived from. Black pepper has a alkaloid all it's own that creates a different type of heat that is unique to the berry.
I am a Chef and own a restaurant.