Black pepper Story | Pepperhub blog
All know so well as “black pepper” actually come from a flowering vine in the Piperocaine family of plants. Pepper vines are native to India, but these days they’re found and cultivated all around the world. Vietnam grows and exports about 35 percent of the world’s supply of black pepper with India, Brazil, China and Sri Lanka making up much of the rest.
Evidence of Early Pepper Use in India
Archaeologists have indeed discovered physical remains of peppercorns dating back to 2000 BCE in India, specifically the Indus Valley Civilization. This confirms the use of pepper within the region itself. Additionally, ancient Sanskrit texts mention pepper, further solidifying its presence in Indian culture and cuisine.
Peppercorns in Ramses the Great’s Tomb
Dating back to 1213 BC, the discovery of peppercorns in the nostrils of Ramses the Great hints at a possible 2,000-year-old pepper trade between India and Egypt. The presence of pepper suggests trading networks stretching across continents. Was it an offering to the gods, a symbol of wealth, or a testament to early globalization? Dive deeper into the archaeological mysteries and historical speculations surrounding this spicy story!
A couple of thousand years later, the Romans were making a fair bit of bank out of exporting peppercorns out of India. And the Romans really loved the stuff, too. When Rome was besieged in 410 A.D, the city’s rulers even offered the Visigoths three thousand pounds of pepper (among other things) in a desperate and futile attempt to avoid being sacked.
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History
After the fall of Rome, the Arab world came to dominate the pepper trade, and by the 10th century the spice had become well-loved among Europe’s royal families and aristocracies. Before long, however, other traders had figured out where the Arabs were getting their pepper from, and soon Portuguese, Genoan and Venetian merchants began to tighten their grip on the industry.
Pepper didn’t exactly get cheaper for this, though, and even in the High Middle Ages, pepper was a hugely valuable spice which came with an astronomically high price for the consumer, largely because moving it from India to the West required the efforts of so many middlemen. As centuries unfolded, empires vied for control of the spice trade, its lucrative profits fueling their aspirations.
Cultivation History
Black peppercorns are the unripe berries of the Piper nigrum vine, which thrives in hot, humid climates. Cultivation initially involved wild pepper vines, but over time, farmers developed techniques for domestication and selective breeding, leading to various black pepper varieties with different flavors and aromas. Traditional cultivation methods involve supporting the vines on poles or support trees, hand-picking the berries when they turn green, and sun-drying them to achieve their characteristic black color. Vietnams model cultivation, Column method, Rapid Multiplication Method, etc., are now widely used for cultivation.
Early Encounters & Modern Pepper Varieties
Travel back in time to the bustling spice trade, where the fiery heat and intense aroma of Malabar pepper reigned supreme. This iconic variety, hailing from India’s Malabar Coast, remains a go-to for bold flavor lovers even today. Alongside it stood the milder Alleppey pepper, offering versatility for everyday cooking. These early varieties, nurtured by the Indian Coral Tree, laid the foundation for India’s rich pepper legacy.
Fast forward to the present, and India remains a major player in black pepper production. But the story doesn’t end there. High-yielding varieties like Panniyur 1, Karimunda and Thekken have joined the scene, addressing productivity. Additionally, unique flavored Jeerakamundi , Bush pepper & well-balanced Karimunda came and the journey continues.
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From Ancient Vines to Global Spice
Black pepper’s origin story begins in the verdant hills of Kerala, India. Here, amidst lush greenery, thrives the Black Pepper plants, the source of our beloved spice. Even though India is rich with various spices but the pepper cultivation is prominent from ancient times. Cultivated for over 4,000 years, black pepper was cherished for its culinary and medicinal properties by ancient civilizations. Its fiery bite was believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune, making it a valuable commodity traded along the spice routes.
Control of the spice trade later switched hands again, first to the Dutch and then the British. Things are much different now, and pepper is produced and exported by various nations all over the world.
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