Pepper

Scientifically classified into the Plantae Kingdom, pepper represents the Piperales Order from the Piperaceae family and is of Piper genus. Biologically pepper is also denoted with a term Piper nigrum and is usually called black pepper in all societies. As part of the Piperaceae family of flowering vine, pepper cultivation is a common practice in India and many other countries in the world. Its cultivation is mainly to obtain pepper fruit which is processed to make spices and seasoning after their thorough drying process.

Pepper fruit is usually called peppercorn whose size doesn’t exceed to 5 millimeters diameter upon getting dried completely. This entirely dark red fruit upon becoming mature turn into drupe shape and is used for a variety of purposes. The fruits though contain single seeds. It is of multiple varieties from black peppers to green peppers and white peppers amongst others. All three groups have their multiple uses for cooking and for medicinal purposes.

A recent survey has found that Vietnam is the largest pepper producer country in the world with its share of 34% production out of the total pepper produced all over the world. Considered as the most traded spices worldwide, pepper is commonly used in all continents. No matter it is an Asian or European cuisine, uses of peppers can't be ruled out while preparing delicious foods.

Pepper Production in India

It is worth noting that pepper or black pepper exists in southern part of India since many centuries. It is one such reason that its cultivation is extensive in the southern part of this country. Other areas where pepper is cultivated commonly are those tropical areas in many parts of the country which are either naturally developed or those having been developed artificially. The use of dried ground pepper is popular in the Indian societies since centuries. It is mainly used to bring flavor in a dish prepared and so is it important in Indian context for its uses to prepare several conventional medicines. Pepper is denoted with many local names in India such as famous Hindi name "kaali mirch," "kuru mulagu" and "nalla mulagu" in Malayalam.

Methods of Growing Pepper

It takes no special effort to grow pepper plants but the processing of this unique spices remain crucial for effective production. Complete processing of black pepper or other varieties of pepper needs the use of still-green unripe pepper plant drupes to be prepared for such purpose. A process to heat drupes in hot water for a brief time is an important processing phase which clean and prepare this spices to be dried for the next phase.

Pepper cultivation is possible in a soil which is less dry and shouldn't be susceptible to any flooding or moist scene. The land should be drained carefully through proper organic matters to make it feasible for plants to grow in an atmosphere, it requires better production. Special machines and technologies are used for drying pepper and to process it further, so peppers are dried under sunlight for many days to give them the form of black peppers. Berries and peppercorns are crushed to produce pepper spirit and oil that is used for the medicinal purpose in the Indian subcontinent.

Pepper Growing States in India & Best Season

Kerala is one of the largest pepper producing states in India. Other southern states too have suitable environment to cultivate pepper. Some other regions with tropical weather and climatic conditions have been well prepared for such purpose. The aim is to expand cultivation and familiarize pepper production in other parts of country. Some of the notable places in India where pepper cultivation has grown faster are Goa, Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu and most importantly Malabar Coastal region of Kerala which is considered best suitable for cultivation.

Pepper is cultivated throughout the year as it requires thorough maintenance of all plants and processing by drying and rest activities completed in multiple phases.

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