Peppercorns are the dried fruit of the black pepper plant. The fruit when in its dried form is known as the peppercorn. The black pepper plant is a flowering vine that is cultivated mostly for its fruit. Black peppers or peppercorns are dried and popularly used as seasoning. They form one of the spices used in cooking. The black pepper plant is a native to South India. It flourishes in tropical regions and is used the world over. The pepper plant is scientifically known as the "Piper Nigrum", within the Genus "Piper", in the Family of "Piperaceae" of the Order of "Piperales", under the Class of "Magnoliopsida" from the Division of "Magnoliophyta" within the Kingdom of "Plantae".
Two different types of peppers are obtained from the fruit depending on the method of processing, namely black pepper and white pepper.
Two different types of peppers are obtained from the fruit depending on the method of processing, namely black pepper and white pepper.
