Black Pepper
Black pepper, or Piper nigrum, is a tiny, dried berry that originates from the Piper nigrum plant. Fruit is harvested when still green and unripe, then sun- or machine-dried. Because of how the fruit looks after it has been dried, "black pepper" gets its name. Because of its main ingredient, piperine, whole black pepper has a robust, pungent taste and scent. As an added bonus, it may kill germs and is full of antioxidants. Soups, stews, sauces, marinades, and rubs are just a few of the many uses for black pepper, which may be purchased either whole or ground.