Spice Up Your Life with Pepper from around the World
Most of us grew up with some form of pepper shaker on the family table. It may have been a shaker that mom periodically filled or it may have been a disposable pepper shaker. If one of our parents was adventurous or culinarily advanced, we may even have had a pepper grinder. But chances are that whatever pepper was on our tables was simply referred to generically as pepper.
It may come as a surprise, then, to discover that there’s a whole world of pepper out there about which most of us have been completely in the dark. In addition to the standard “black pepper,” there’s white pepper, green pepper (as distinguished from green peppers) and even pink pepper. To complicate things even further, there are regional pepper offerings from around the world that have their own distinct flavor palates: Tellicherry, Malabar and Sarawak may be the most well-known.
What is pepper and what the basic kinds of pepper? What are some of the coveted peppercorns from around the world?
What Is Pepper?
The pepper that goes into shakers and grinders around the world is actually the dried berry or fruit of a flowering vine. It’s a stonefruit, or “drupe” that contains a single seed. When not ripened, the dried peppercorn is green. If the unripened peppercorn is cooked, it becomes what we know as black pepper. If the fruit, however is allowed to ripen, the seed becomes white pepper. The drupes grow in clusters, looking like clusters of small grapes.
What Are Some of the Most Popular Peppercorns in the World?
Among the peppercorns prized by foodies are:
- The Tellicherry, grown in Tellicherry, India—One of the world’s most revered peppercorns, it’s sought out for its balanced flavor and distinct aroma, often considered fruity with hints of citrus and pine
- The Malabar, also from India, similar to the Tellicherry in many respects, but with a somewhat dark and slightly bitter taste
- Sarawak, a Malaysian peppercorn with a mild flavor and an earthy aroma, favored by people who want a little spice, but don’t want the pepper taste to be overbearing
- Vietnamese, considered robust by many, with smoky, woody notes reminiscent of black tea
- Brazilian, reputed for an initial intensity that quickly dissolves extremely mild herbal and citrus flavors
Spice Up Your Life with a New Peppercorn
The next time you need to replenish your pepper supply, consider your options. You’ll be surprised at the difference a peppercorn can make.
