Piper nigrum is a tropical plant that grows in countries
with a strong seasonal monsoon period followed by diminishing
rain and concluding with a dry period that encourages the berries
to fully ripen. There is a seven to eight-month period between
the time the flower is pollinated and the harvest.
Peppercorns grow on a vine supported by a stake
or host tree. A pepper vine can grow to lengths of 100 feet. The
plant requires three years to mature and produce peppercorns,
but the vines will continue to be fruitful for years.
The same pepper vine produces three different spices
depending on the maturity of the pepper berry when picked and
how it is dried.
- Green Peppercorn -- immature
berries are soaked in a salt water brine to preserve their green
color, then freeze dried
- Black Peppercorn -- mature
green berries that have been harvested and sun dried for seven
to 10 days
- White Peppercorn -- fully
matured berries that have turned red/yellow color and have been
soaked in water to remove their outer skin, leaving the white
pulp of the pepper berry
The peppercorn is either supplied as whole or in
powder form after grinding.
