Pepper is found as the dried fruit of a flowering vine called piper nigrum.
The Origins of Pepper
Despite their dry and cracked appearance when we typically see them, peppercorns are actually the dried fruit of a plant. They grow on a flowering vine known as piper nigrum.
The Piper Nigrum Vine
This specific vine belongs to the Piperaceae family.
- It is native to India.
- While originating in India, the vines are now cultivated in nearly every tropical region around the globe.
- Major growing regions include Vietnam, Brazil, China, and Indonesia.
The peppercorns develop as berries on this vine, which are then harvested and processed, typically by drying, to become the common spice we use.
