Are black peppercorns the same as black pepper?

Within the typical North American home, the black pepper occupies a special place. Black pepper, after all, proudly stands in shakers and grinders on the kitchen counter or – holiest of holy places – the dining table in virtually every home and restaurant, in contrast to other spices that reside in dark cupboards. It is the only spice that appears in almost every dish.

Fun Facts about Peppercorns:

You might be surprised to find out the berries grow in long green clumps and climb around tall trees, poles, and trellises in the jungle. When the berries turn red, the peppercorns are harvested to produce black and white pepper. Green peppercorns, however, are harvested before the berry has ripened.

Pepper comes from the Sanskrit word pippali.

Black pepper accounts for 20 percent of the world spice trade.

Black peppercorns

Theres a reason that black pepper is such a seminal spice — Photo courtesy of iStock / Eivaisla

Strangely, green peppercorns are where black peppercorns, you guessed it, come from. Green pepper fruit that has just been harvested turns black after being cooked in water and then allowed to dry in the sun.

Black pepper is grown widely in Southeast Asia and India, but Vietnam is the world’s largest exporter of the spice. Advertisement Advertisement.

What they go best with: When it comes to the most adaptable spices and seasonings in the world, black pepper is second only to salt. Black peppercorns are the most flavor-concentrated of the group and pair well with almost anything. Fun fact: They were prized by the ancient Egyptians for their use in mummification rituals and can also be used to embalm the dead in a pinch.

Green peppercorns

With a relatively short shelf life, enjoy these green peppercorns while you can! — Photo courtesy of iStock / Savany

When freshly harvested from the Piper nigrum vine when not yet ripe, green peppercorns are pepper in its purest form. Green peppercorns have a very short shelf life because they are essentially a fresh fruit.

Green peppercorns can be preserved most easily by soaking them in oil or vinegar. They are primarily consumed in Thailand, despite the fact that they are grown everywhere that black pepper is. Advertisement Advertisement.

What goes best with them: Delicate sauces frequently served on top of tropical seafood contain fresh green peppercorns. In the United States, they are most frequently served with salmon or pork.

Black pepper vs. white pepper | which to use and why