Black peppercorns

Peppercorn "spike"

Black peppercorns are the most-used spice in the world. Until chilis were imported from the ‘the new world’, Europe, Africa, and Asia had only peppercorns and various analogs to add heat to food. Indian, Thai, and other cuisines are now inseparable from chilis, but this didn’t happen until the Spanish brought seeds back from the Americas around 1500.

Black peppercorns are the fruit of a woody vine. The peppercorn “spikes” are picked when the fruit is full-grown, but still unripe. They’re dried in the sun and then the individual peppercorns are removed from the spike.

Black peppercorns (Piper nigrum)

Many notable varieties of black peppercorns are named after the places they’re grown.

India Malabar – These are the best mass-market peppercorns grown in southern India, in a region that the British East India Company named Malabar. They are reputed to be very aromatic and pungent. Described as “Full-bodied, woody flavor, pungent aroma, plenty of heat.” A good, multi-purpose pepper for savory dishes and spice blends.
India Tellicherry – The largest, ripest 10% of Malabar peppercorns grown on Mount Tellicherry. A higher-grade pepper with a “complex, robust flavor.” Good where black pepper is a feature flavor.
Malaysian Sarawak – - These peppercorns are produced in the Malaysian part of Borneo.  This is a “mild and fruity” pepper that has smaller fruit than the Tellicherry peppercorns. I find them to have a weak, slightly dusty flavor. Less heat and lighter aroma, good as a background flavor.
Indonesian Lampong – From the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The taste is described as “pleasant and fruity” but still quite hot, and with a lighter aroma. Hotter than Sarawak. Mild sassafras aroma.
Madagascar – Not as hot or ’spicy’ as Indian peppercorns, but significantly more pungent and flavorful. I find them to smell strongly of sassafras oil. The only place I’ve encountered peppercorns from Madagascar was through SA.VA. Import – Export.
Ecuador – The Spice House sells peppercorns from Ecuador that are very hot, with a unique and interesting flavor profile.
Vietnam – Vietnam is the largest grower of peppercorns. They are rather undistinguished.
Kampot – Coming soon!
Pohnpei – Coming soon!
Brazil – Brazil is another large exporter of peppercorns. They tend to be mild.

Long pepper (Piper longum)

This is a different species of peppercorn, uncommon in the West but used in India and Southeast Asia. Hotter than black peppercorns (piper negrum). Ancient Romans referred to both this and piper nigrum as ‘piper’, and used them interchangeably.  Can be found at Indian groceries as pipalli.

Where to buy

Reviews (see all black peppercorn reviews)

• Pepper-Passion – All varieties discussed here
• The Spice House – Ecuador, Tellicherry, Lampong, and more
• SA.VA. Import – Export -  Madagascar
• Penzey’s Spices – Malabar, Tellicherry, and Sarawak
• Halen Môn/Parameswaran’s Wynad Black Pepper

Specialty spice stores that sell peppercorns

• Smokey Al Gerookte Knoflook – Lampong, Tellicherry, Long pepper, and more
  
• bulkpeppercorns.com – Tellicherry, Malabar, and Vietnamese. No response.
• SpiceMe! Gewürze und Mehr – Long pepper
  
• Kalyx Natural Marketplace – Long pepper
  

Vanilla plantations that also grow and sell peppercorns

• Venui Vanilla (Vanuatu)
• Silver Cloud Estates (India)
• Villa Vanilla/Rainforestspices.com (Costa Rica)