Black Pepper Seed
Black Pepper Seed is obtained from the dried unripe fruit of Piper nigrum, a flowering vine of the Piperaceae family. Known as the “King of Spices,” black pepper is valued worldwide for its pungent flavor, aroma, and versatility in culinary and traditional formulations.
- Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
- Plant Family: Piperaceae
- Plant Part Used: Dried fruit (peppercorn / seed)
Suitable for food, spice blends, herbal formulations, and extract applications.
Description
Black Pepper Seed comes from Piper nigrum, a tropical flowering vine native to South India and widely cultivated throughout tropical regions. The plant produces small drupes that, when harvested unripe and dried, become the familiar black peppercorn used globally as a spice and seasoning.
Black pepper is one of the most widely traded spices in the world and has been used since antiquity for both culinary and traditional purposes. Its characteristic pungency and heat are attributed to the natural alkaloid piperine, which differs from the capsaicin found in chili peppers.
Botanical Information
- Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Common Names: Black pepper, peppercorn
Processing & Characteristics
Black pepper is produced from still-green, unripe drupes of the pepper plant. After harvesting, the drupes are briefly cooked in hot water to clean them and initiate enzymatic browning. They are then sun-dried or machine-dried for several days, during which the outer layer darkens, shrinks, and becomes wrinkled, forming the characteristic black peppercorn.
In some traditional processing methods, the berries are sun-dried without boiling. Once fully dried, the peppercorns may be used whole, ground into powder, or processed further for the extraction of essential oil and pepper spirit.
Key Constituents
- Piperine (primary pungent compound)
- Volatile oils
- Oleoresins
Applications
- Culinary seasoning and spice blends
- Food and beverage formulations
- Herbal and traditional preparations
- Extraction of pepper oil and pepper spirit
- Cosmetic and personal care formulations
Additional Uses
Pepper oil extracted from black peppercorns is used in traditional massage oils, aromatherapy, and certain cosmetic and herbal products. Pepper spirit is also utilized in medicinal and beauty applications.
Handling & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Whole peppercorns retain flavor longer than ground pepper. Handle using standard food or botanical industry practices.
Regulatory & Usage Information
For industrial, formulation, and research use. Certificates of Analysis (CoA), technical documentation, and bulk supply options are available upon request.
