
Herb Directory

Back Pepper
Alternative Name:
Piper nigrum
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years. It is native to the Malabar Coast of India and has been cultivated there for over 2,000 years. During ancient times, black pepper was highly prized and even used as currency. Traders from Arab, Chinese, and European countries spread it throughout the world.
In ancient Greece, it held such value that it served as a form of payment. The active compound piperine gives black pepper its characteristic pungency. Today, it remains the world’s most traded spice and a common seasoning in cuisines worldwide.