Known as the ‘king of spices’, black pepper has remained the most precious and valuable of spices in the world. It is the 3rd most added ingredient in food among the wide range of spices.

Black pepper is cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. Collected in the forest slopes of the Nilgiri mountains, this spice provides livelihood to a number of people from the community residing in these areas.