Pepper

Botanical name : Piper nigrum

Family name : Piperaceae

Pepper is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae. It is cultivated for its fruit which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. 

Pepper has a hot flavour and a distinct aroma that makes the preparation very delectable.

Pepper is mostly found in hot, moist regions of Southern India. The spice is naturally self-pollinated and pollen dispersal is aided by the presence of water droplets. Fruit is a single seeded drupe often called berry. It is spherical in shape, green in colour and changes to red on ripening.       

Black pepper:

Black pepper is produced from the still-green unripe drupes of the pepper plant.

White pepper:

White pepper consists of the seed of the pepper plant alone with the darker coloured skin of the pepper fruit removed. This spice has a pungent smell and an exotic flavour. 

Culinary Uses of Pepper: Pepper is an important ingredient in exotic cuisines and is very popular with hot curries. To make a hot and spicy dish without chilli pepper would be the ideal spice to enhance taste to the preparation. Indian Cuisine cannot be imagined without the exotic flavour of pepper. It is also used as a food preservative.