Black Pepper

Black Pepper Plant

Black pepper plant (lat. Piper nigrum) - belongs among plants producing spice known around the world. Black pepper is harvested from it. The fruits of the pepper plant are harvested in an unripe state, or rather in various stages of ripeness. Pepper is used in cuisines all over the world. In the Czech Republic, it is also very popular. It is added mainly to savory dishes. In the past, pepper was also added, for example, to gingerbread.

Types of pepper according to ripeness at harvest:

• black pepper - produced by fermentation of unripe green pepper berries
• green pepper - created by rapid drying of unripe berries
• white pepper - is the only one from fully ripe berries. The red skin is removed from them.

Pepper plant belongs among climbing plants from the family of lower dicotyledonous plants. It belongs to the order Piperales (lat. Piperales). This order includes about 2000 species of pepper plants and more are constantly being added. The pepper plant can grow up to 6m in length. It is a long-lived plant. It can live up to 60 years. In appearance, this plant resembles hops. It has woody climbing vines made of soft flexible wood.

Pepper was brought to Europe from India, it was a very valuable spice. It was first imported by Alexander the Great. Pepper was first described by the traveler Marco Polo. The origin of the pepper plant is from South and Central America. Pepper therefore comes from subtropical and tropical areas.

Recommendation: The pepper plant needs plenty of light and light partial shade for good growth. The optimal temperature for growing pepper plants is 22°C. In winter months 18°C.

We commonly grow types of pepper plants in our households without even knowing about them. This is a climbing plant with distinctive, green perforated leaves.

Growing Black Pepper Plant

Pepper plant is very easy to grow both from seed and from cuttings. A cut cutting just needs to be placed in a glass of water and wait for roots. For sowing from seed, use a substrate intended for sowing. You can also mix the substrate yourself. It should contain one part sand and two parts peat and the rest substrate that you have at home in the garden (soil).

TIP: As soon as the plant fills the pot, divide it into several clusters, which you plant separately. It will do better and grow faster.

Pepper plants thrive in sunny and warm locations. Protect younger plants from direct sunlight. The optimal location is warm and sunny with partial shade. The ideal temperature for growing pepper plants is 22°C during summer months, and in winter the temperature should not drop below 16°C.

Pepper plant is a climbing plant that needs support. Alternatively, it will choose its own support and wrap around the nearest available structures. Don't forget to prepare support for it. It will look better and the plant will grow well. Ideally, the support should also serve as a canopy, protecting the plant from direct sunlight.

We recommend watering with settled, rainwater or soft water. Did you know? Water hardness is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium. Soft water has few dissolved gases and salts. Soft water is more aggressive. It can cause pipe corrosion. Spray the plant during the day with a spray bottle. This activity is essential especially in dry apartment buildings. Get yourself a functional sprayer in our e-shop. This will prevent the plant's leaves from drying out.

Fertilize pepper plants especially in spring with liquid fertilizer. We can fertilize from April to August. In winter months, reduce fertilization. This is a very well-prospering plant. Common pests and diseases avoid it.

Pepper plant starts bearing fruit approximately in the third year after sowing. In this year, the plant can reach a length of 2-4m (depending on the conditions you provide).

We can repot pepper plants annually at the beginning. Once the plant is stronger, you can repot it every other year.

Pepper fruits ripen gradually. Therefore, harvesting takes place gradually. Let harvested unripe fruits dry in the sun. They will turn black and dry to their typical color and shape. Harvested ripe fruits need to be soaked for 2-3 days in lime water and then their skin must be removed. The resulting white pepper is less aromatic than black pepper, you practically can't see it in food, but its strength is greater and its taste is more pungent.

Pepper is the spice with the highest consumption in the world. Try growing it yourself. It is a reliable, undemanding, long-lived plant.

Pepper - a spice without which we cannot imagine cooking. Pepper is most commonly used in Bulgaria. Bulgarian cuisine is known for its abundant use of pepper. The most famous pepper dish from Bulgarian cuisine is kebapcheta.

When preparing dishes, we most often use black pepper. A popular choice is a mixture of colorful pepper, which is mixed from several types of this spice.

Pepper is a very popular spice especially among the male population. In the past, pepper was considered an aphrodisiac. It could not be used in monasteries. It was replaced by chaste tree fruits (monk's pepper).

Peppercorn fruits give dishes a varied and refined taste. Learn to use them. Get yourself a pepper mill. Season commonly prepared dishes with its fresh flavour.

Recipe: Can you cook kebapche? This is a Bulgarian dish with pepper. Rolls made from minced meat and spices (parsley, cumin, savory, black pepper and salt). You can also add chilli pepper. We can let it rest until the next day. We form rolls, which we fry until golden or grill. Enjoy your meal!

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Author: Hana Michalíková