Pepper is a shrub native to India. The plant has the scientific name Piper nigrum. pepper can grow in tropical climates with rainfall of 1500-2500 mm/year, and optimal air temperatures of 25oC-30oC.
Pepper has a straight and branched stem, with dark green leaves. pepper flowers are small, white, and the fruit of pepper is shaped like a grain, green when young and dark red when ripe.
Ripe pepper fruits are dried and processed into black pepper, white pepper, or green pepper. Black pepper is the most commonly used type of pepper, and has a spicy and fragrant flavor. White pepper has a milder flavor and stronger aroma than pepper. Green pepper has the spiciest flavor compared to black pepper and white pepper.
Pepper has various benefits, including:
- As a cooking spice
- As a traditional medicine
- As a raw material for cosmetics