Black pepper comes from the berry clusters called peppercorns that form on the pepper plant. The pepper plant is a woody vine that grows up to 33 feet tall and is found in hot, humid, and tropical climates. The peppercorns are picked when they are half ripe and dried. Black pepper is the most flavorful of all the types of pepper and is available as whole peppercorns, half peppercorns or as a powder.

Black pepper is one of the most popular spices in the world and has a long history. Records show black pepper being traded from south Asia dating back to 4000 years. Black pepper was such an important trade item that if single peppercorn were dropped on the floor it would be searched for like a lost pearl. Black pepper has also been used over the centuries for traditional medicinal purposes.

Piperine is one of the two alkaloids in Black Pepper that make it "hot and spicy."

It turns out that this alkaloid also fulfills a nifty therapeutic function. Piperine improves the bioavailability of medicinal compounds that are normally not absorbed well by the human body, like curcuminhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619120, the main active ingredient in Turmeric, which is showing promise as an anti-cancer drug. This discovery sheds light on the wisdom of the taste buds. Piperine (black pepper) and Curcumin (turmeric) are both basic ingredients of the popular Indian dish "curry" as it is popularly prepared in spice preparations in supermarkets in the western world.

CAUTION: While it is generally safe to eat curry, it may not be safe to take piperine supplements, particularly with medicine. If you consider piperine supplementation, please consult a trustworthy doctor first about it. Piperine in pure form may increase the efficacy of certain medicines and cause side effects.

CAUTION: While it is generally safe to eat curry, it may not be safe to take piperine supplements, particularly with medicine. If you consider piperine supplementation, please consult a trustworthy doctor first about it. Piperine in pure form may increase the efficacy of certain medicines and cause side effects.

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