Spices and Herbs (Peppercorns)

Peppercorns (Piper nigrum)

Piper nigrum is an evergreen climbing vine, cultivated for its fruit, which are usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. Dried ground pepper is one of the most common spices used worldwide, prized for its flavour. Ground black peppercorn, usually referred to simply as "pepper", may be found on nearly every dinner table in some parts of the world, often alongside table salt. The same fruit is also used to produce white pepper, red/pink pepper, and green pepper. Black pepper is native to South India and is extensively cultivated there and elsewhere in tropical regions.
For black pepper the clusters are plucked when not quite ripe then left in piles to ferment. After a few days, the individual berries are spread out and left to dry in the sun until they are shriveled and nearly black.
White pepper is derived from the fully ripened berries that are just about to turn red. After harvest the clusters are packed in bags and soaked in water, for more than a week. This softens the outer coating, or pericarp, so that it may be removed to reveal grey centers. They are then spread out to dry in the sun where they become naturally bleached to white. White pepper is often used in dishes like light-coloured sauces or mashed potatoes, where ground black pepper would visibly stand out. Black and white pepper do have differing flavours due to the presence of certain compounds in the outer fruit layer of the berry that are not found in the seed.
Green pepper, like black, is made from the unripe berries. Dried green peppercorns are treated in a manner that retains the green colour, such as treatment with sulphur dioxide or freeze-drying. Pickled green peppercorns are preserved in brine or vinegar. Fresh, unpreserved green pepper berries, largely unknown in the West, are used in some Asian cuisines, particularly Thai cuisine.
Whole peppercorns will provide flavor to recipes without adding a great deal of heat. As with most spices, it is preferable to grind your own pepper just before using. Ground pepper loses its flavor quickly, so should be kept in an airtight container.

spice peppercorns pepper