Origin and history
Black pepper, often referred to asthe "king of spices,"is one of the oldest and most valuable spices in the world. Native to the Malabar Coast of India, it was already being used 3,000 years before our era for its medicinal and digestive properties. In Roman times, it was so sought after that it was even used as a means of exchange. Today, it remains an essential spice, both in cooking and in herbal medicine, thanks to its high piperine content, its main active compound.