Pepper

Black pepper the world's most widely used spice, originated in the rain forests of Kerala, and has reigned as the "master spice" from its earliest usage about 4,000 years ago. This spice commanded great respect centuries ago, and practically changed the course of history by playing a key role in the development of trade and conquest. The world today consumes as much black pepper as all other spices combined. It is used in one way or other in most cuisines and it is used to prepare just about every kind of dish, including desserts.

Black pepper corns are the sun-dried fruit of the pepper vine. The aroma of pepper comes from essential oils while the pungency in pepper comes form the presence of an alkaloid called piperine. Freshly crushed, pepper has better flavour and aroma. These peppercorns are available in varying sizes, aroma and pungency. The pepper plant requires long rainy season and fairly high temperatures and partial shade for best growth. The tropical climate and the heavy monsoons of Kerala are ideal for this plant. Kerala accounts for about 95% of the pepper farmland and 97% of the pepper production in India. Pepper is marketed in four different colours: black, white, red and green.