Mostly grown in Asia, the pepper vine or tree initially produces fresh, green peppercorns. Left to mature they will turn black. When picked and sun-dried they become the black peppercorns we use in pepper grinders. If on the other hand, the peppercorn is picked slightly before maturity, the outer layer is removed and the kernel (white in colour) can be ground to produce white pepper. The fragrant green peppercorns have a sweetly aromatic flavour all their own.

are berries that grow in grapelike clusters on a pepper plant native to India. The most common types are black, white, green, and pink. They are usually sold in jars on the spice shelf in large supermarkets.

Black peppercorns are usually used whole with other whole spices such as cloves and cardamom pods to give heat and depth to a dish.