Black Pepper

Conditions of Growth	Warm and Humid tropical climate
	It can be grown on clay loams, sandy loams and red loams.
	2000-3000 mm of rainfall is required
Region	Throughout India but mostly in the Southern India
Varieties	White pepper, green pepper, pink pepper, orange and red pepper
Production/Trade	India is the largest producer and the states include Kerala and Tamil Nadu mainly. Others include Assam, Goa, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Pondicherry

The Botanical name of black pepper is known as Piper Nigrum. The spice’s king is Black Pepper. It is amongst the oldest spice crops. In more than two forms, it has been consumed as a spice throughout the country as white, green, black peppercorns. India being the major consumer, exporter and producer has also established the cultivation for the commercial purpose.

It belongs to the Piperaceae family which is mainly used as fried spice and for the seasoning purposes. It mainly grows in South India and Vietnam at present, is the largest producer along with largest exporter of black pepper. There are various uses of dried black pepper which can be used both as a medicine and to add flavor. The spice which is traded mostly is black pepper. The piperine chemical brings spiciness in the pepper and can be even used for seasoning.

Since the period of 2 BCE, pepper has been known in Southeast and South Asia and India was its most significant source. They were known as “Black gold” for the purpose of trading. It is known as “peppercorn rent” in some parts of Western world as a token of payment.

Black Pepper Production in India

The production of black pepper is done in various varieties and agricultural schemes in India from monocrops to home gardens along with mixed crops in the plantation of coffee in valleys and slopes. In India, there are many cultivators of black pepper which are usually more than hundred in number such as ‘Kalluvalli’, ‘Cheria Kaniakadan’ and ‘Balamcotta’ which are distinguished by the shape of leaf and size characteristics along with fruiting and flowering as well.

It is also used for the production of green, white and red peppercorn along with oleoresin and pepper oil which is obtained by the fruits steam distillation and solvent extraction. A stronger flavor is obtained from it as compared to the spice for the purpose of foods.

The major production region in India is the Southern part. India is the major exporter, consumer and producer of pepper. Karnataka and Kerala are the leading producers. 17,563 tonnes of products of black pepper were exported in the year 2005-06 of Rs. 15,095 lakhs to many countries which accounted 6 per cent earning of exports in spices. Annually, it is grown with 69,000 tonnes of production in 2,46,000 hectares of land.

Methods of Growing Black Pepper

For growing black pepper, the harvesting of fruiting spikes is done when the fruits become mature. As the pepper carries the property of a climber so it needs a support or a standard to climb and this is done with the help of some other plant. The spikes of the fruits are left overnight in heaps for the purpose of fermentation. Then they are later on spread out the next morning on the mats of bamboo or on concrete floors to dry in the sun for 4-5 days. To help in drying, they are regularly raked. There is another method as well that is by blanching the spikes on a dryer of flat-bed which helps in reducing 7 hours of the time of drying.

With the help of drying, the spikes are dropped off from the fruits. When the spikes are dropped off, it gives a fleshy layer outside the fruit which makes the black pepper look crinkled. The peppercorns are ready to be sold in the market after that.

Rice Growing States in India and Best Season

The peppercorn production of black pepper has increased to a great extent. In the year 2003, 60,000 metric tonnes of pepper were produced in 193,000 hectares land. Kerala grows about 95% of pepper and other state includes Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Goa. 80% of the black pepper consumed is grown in these countries. The export of black pepper is done in 120 countries and more from India.

The best season of growing black pepper is in the months of May and June as it requires dry and humid climate for its production.

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