BLACK PIPPER

Synonym                                              :  Pipper , Kala-mirch .

Biological source                                  :  It consist of dried unripe fruit of Piper nigrum .

Scientific name                                     :  Piper nigrum .

Family                                                  :  Piperaceae .

Geographical distribution                       :  South India , Indonesia , Brazil , Malaysia and Srilanka .

Organoleptic / Morphological Evaluation :

            i)    Colour                                -  Blackish-brown to Greenish-black .

            ii)   Odour                                -  Aromatic .

            iii)  Taste                                  -  Aromatic and Pungent( strong and bitter in taste)

            iv)  Shape                                 -  Globular .

            v)   Size                                    -  3.5 – 6 mm in diameter .

            vi)  Extra feature                       -  The berries are reticulately wrinkled . The pericarp is thin with a                                                                     single white kernel ( the soft edible part in the shell of a nut ) . 

                                                                The kernel is hollow at the center , entirely consisting of

                                                                perisperm a small endosperm and embryo .

Therapeutic uses :

i)                    It is used as aromatic , stimulant , stomachic , carminative .

ii)                   It is used as flavouring – agent .

iii)                 It also stimulates taste-bud with increasing gastric-juice .

iv)                 It is also used as spice .