Best Peppercorns

Last Updated: Apr 27, 2023 @ 10:24 am.

Tips & Advice

As pepper enthusiasts, we love the pungency of whole pepper. Yet, we realize the finding the best can be sometimes intimidating—all the different types, colors and so on.

What’s the difference between black, red or green? What are Tellicherry peppercorns? What’s the best way to store them?

Here are our tips and advice:

• Peppercorns come from a flowering vine—while Vietnam is the largest producer of black pepper today, the vine originally is from southern India.

• Tellicherry peppercorns are larger than regular ones. They come from the same plant . . . Tellicherry peppercorns are simply bigger—and the bigger the seed, the more fragrant it is. Tellicherry peppercorns also have more citrus flavor notes than smaller black ones. (Yes, some folks think Tellicherry peppercorns come from a city in India by the same name–actually, it is referred to as Thalassery today–but that is a misnomer).

• Black peppercorns are made from unripe fruit of that pepper plant or vine. Once picked the peppercorns are briefly cooked (steamed) and then dried by machine (or in the sun). The wrinkly appearance comes from the drying process.

• Other peppercorns have different colors based on how they are processed. Red peppercorns, for example, get that color from brine that is used to preserve them (instead of a drying process). White peppercorns are just the seeds from inside the mature fruit of the pepper plant. They have a lighter flavor compared to black or red peppercorns.

• To extend the shelf life of your peppercorns, store in a mason jar in a refrigerator. Before you use them, let the corns first come to room temperature.  Yes, you can store them in a freezer, as long as they are in an airtight container.

Ok, enough tips! Here are our picks for the best peppercorns.

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