During the 16th century, people used the term pepper to refer to the chili pepper of the New World.Peppercorns (Piper nigrum), however, are the fruits that come from the black pepper flowering plant or vine of the Piperaceae family. The pepper vines grow well in humid and moist conditions.Peppercorns are tiny fruits that have a drupe of the flowering vine called Piper nigrum that grows in tropical regions and is native to India and Southeast Asia. The best peppercorns or black peppers are the native species of the Malabar coast in Kerala, India. Peppercorns are not only used for flavor but also due to their medicinal properties. Peppercorns are the most common spices added to cuisines and also the most traded spice in the world. It has a chemical compound called piperine, which is different from chili peppers’ capsaicin. The term pepper is a derivation of the Sanskrit word pippali, the Latin word piper, and the Old English word pipor, all of which translate to ’long pepper’. There are several varieties of peppercorns (Pruptures piper nigrum) including black peppercorns, white peppercorns, pink peppercorns, green peppercorns, and red peppercorns.Green pepper is dried unripe fruit, white pepper is ripe fruit seeds, and black pepper is cooked and then dried unripe fruit. Apart from India, other major producers of peppercorns are Brazil, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, and Indonesia. The world’s largest producer among these countries in 2019 was Ethiopia. Based on the weather, crop management, and diseases, 20% of the world’s spice trade is of black pepper. About 35% of the total supply and production of black pepper in the world is done by Vietnam. In the native country of the black pepper, India, production of black pepper has drastically decreased in the last few years. Archaeological evidence shows that the people of India have grown and harvested pepper plants since 2000 BC for both culinary and medicinal purposes.If you enjoyed reading these facts that answer where do peppercorns come from, then make sure to read some more interesting facts that answer where do olives come from and where do oats come from here at Kidadl.Where do black peppercorns come from?Black pepper comes from India, Brazil, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, and Indonesia.Black pepper comes from the ‘black pepper plant’ (vine) or Piper nigrum and these vines are native to the Indian subcontinent. The pepper plant is leafy green, unripe, and fruits grow on tendrils that are made of large seeds, skin, and fruit. At the right time, that is when the berries turn orange, fruits are picked. Each fruit measures around 0.20 in (5 mm) in diameter when it is mature and fresh.The drupes are first briefly cooked to prepare them for the drying process and to clean them. The cell wall ruptures due to the heat and this speeds up the browning enzymes’ work when drying. The drupes are either dried by machine or in the sun for many days during which the skin around the pepper seed darkens and shrinks and turns into a wrinkled, thin black layer. The spice is called black peppercorn after drying. Some producers separate the berries from the stem by hand and then dry them in the sun without boiling. Pepper oil and spirit can be extracted by crushing these dried berries. Ground black pepper can be produced from a pepper grinder or pepper mill. Several beauty products and medicinal products use pepper spirit. Treatments like ayurvedic massage, beauty therapies, and herbal practices use pepper oil. There is around 4.6-9.7% piperine by mass in black pepper and a little more than this in white pepper.Where do Szechuan peppercorns come from?Sichuan pepper comes from China, Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Pakistan.Szechuan pepper is also called Sichuan pepper, Szechwan pepper, mala pepper, Chinese pepper, Chinese prickly ash and ratan pepper. This pepper is popular and commonly used in the southwestern Sichuan Province in China in their Sichuan cuisine. Sichuan pepper is neither related to chili pepper nor black pepper. The two varieties of Szechuan pepper are harvested from Qinghuajiao and Z. bungeanum. Szechuan peppercorn plants are planted in either fall or spring. These peppercorn plants can grow in any well-drained soil. While planting, all-purpose fertilizers are added for the plant to get extra nutrition. The peppercorn plant can grow well in partial shade or in the sun. Usually, this peppercorn plant is unaffected by disease and pests. Szechuan peppercorn can be harvested in autumn. Szechuan pepper is used in food like Chongqing hot pot and mapo doufu due to its peppery and fragrant flavor.Do peppercorns have any health benefits?Peppercorns have a lot of benefits for your health, both mental and physical health. There are also side effects of overconsumption of these spices.The usual table salt and pepper might be flavors we use every day, however, the spicy black pepper is used in trade for both medicine and food. The piperine acts as an antidepressant, improving the brain’s cognitive function. Consumption of black pepper can prevent the development of colon cancer, skin cancer, and breast cancer. A study also showed that if black pepper is combined with turmeric, it becomes a strong anti-cancer food. It can increase stamina and can be used as an asthma drug and also to treat coughs and colds. Black pepper can slowly reduce anorexia if included with meals. It also helps with digestion. Black pepper can relieve flu, flatulence, and tooth pain. White pepper also has similar properties. White pepper improves vision, prevents wrinkles, and is good for hair. White pepper can, however, cause irritation of the skin for some people.Pink peppercorn varies a little in taste as it is fruity and mildly sweet. Pink pepper also has similar health benefits as other peppercorns, however, high consumption of pink peppercorns can be toxic. You can eat pink peppers for a good taste with fewer calories. Sichuan peppercorn improves the flow of blood. For people suffering from anemia, with a low amount of iron in their blood, Sichuan will increase the required hemoglobin in the body. Sichuan also increases the immune system by increasing zinc in your body. Sichuan can increase food intake as substances in Sichuan will recreate the food intake and this then improves the digestion rate. It also contains copper, phosphorous, zinc, and manganese, all of which are essential to improve bone health and helping avoid osteoporosis, an age-related problem. Sichuan pepper also reduces inflammation, chronic illness, bloating, cramping, and blood pressure.How are black peppercorns made?Black peppercorns are made from drying the unripe berries of the Piper nigrum plant.Black peppercorns or pepper are made after picking up half-ripe berries that are just about to turn red. During the drying process, they shrink and become dark-colored. Only after they are dried they are called black peppercorns. Black peppercorns are the most flavorful and pungent compared to other spices. This peppercorn is available either ground into a powder, cracked or whole. The pepper’s spice is taken away if the skin is removed, which is when they become called white peppercorns. Red peppercorns are red peppercorn drupes that are preserved in vinegar and brine. Green peppercorns are dried in a way to retain the green color. Pink peppercorns come from the Peruvian pepper tree.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestion for Where do peppercorns come from? Fabulous ancient spice facts to know, then why not take a look at When do tulips bloom? Beautiful flower facts on bloom times, or Where do comets come from? Curious solar system fun facts for kids?
During the 16th century, people used the term pepper to refer to the chili pepper of the New World.
