This is our most popular ground pepper and is from top grade Black Peppercorns sourced out of India, Indonesia or Vietnam (depending on the time of year). These peppers are picked earlier in the ripening process which gives them a distinct sharpness and a bit more heat than your typical black pepper. This is a coarse dustless grind pepper at 20 mesh which is perfect for a slightly larger size than your traditional table pepper, and with a whole lot more flavor. If you prefer a pepper with a slightly smaller and finer particle size then try try our Medium Ground Black Pepper. History and Cultivation Black pepper is a native to the Malabar region on the Western Coast of South India. This aromatic spice has a fruity, pungent fragrance and was introduced into Europe more than 3,000 years ago. The storied history of the spice trade has long been about pepper and spice lore even has it that Attila the Hun once demanded, and ultimately received, 3,000 lbs. of it as ransom for the city of Rome in 408 AD. Pepper today still remains as the most popular spice in terms of overall volume. In total volume pepper remains the world's most valuable spice (but not it's most expensive). Peppercorns are grown in Brazil, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Vietnam is currently the world's largest producer of commercially grown peppercorns and has between 45%-55% of the market. Black peppercorns are produced from a flowering vine of the pepper plant Piper Nigrum in the family Piperaceae. This fruit is harvested while still green in color and at this stage and are considered to be unripe berries. The berries are cooked briefly in hot water and then dried. It's during this stage that the peppercorn becomes shriveled and wrinkled and turns to its recognized black or brown color. Black, white and green peppercorns all come from the same plant. Green peppercorns the unripe dried fruit, black peppercorns are the unripened dried fruit that has been briefly cooked and white peppercorns are the fruit that is allowed to almost fully ripen. Where It's From Our black pepper is sourced from India, Indonesia and Vietnam (depending on the time of ear). Our current supply is known as Lampong and is from Indonesia. Where to Use Good with eggs, fish, pork, chicken, salads, soup, strawberries and tomatoes. Works well in combination with basil, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, parsley, rosemary, thyme and turmeric. Flavor Profile Black pepper has a flavor that is clean, a bit hot with a biting aftertaste. The aroma is pungent and fruity with warm lemony undertones. Helpful Hints If you are looking for other convenient ground peppers you will love these - Medium Grind (30 Mesh), Fine Grind (30/60 Mesh), for maximum flavor Cracked Black Pepper, and for those who prefer a lighter touch on their pepper try our Ground White Pepper. If you're a big fan of black pepper then you'll love our best selling pepper blend - Pennsylvania Pepper and one of our newer products a Smoked Bourbon Barrel Cracked Black Pepper.