Black pepper (scientific name: Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine native to South India and widely cultivated in tropical regions. It is one of the most commonly used spices globally, known for its distinct spicy, pungent, and aromatic flavor. Black pepper is made from the dried fruit (peppercorns) of the pepper plant. When harvested while still unripe, the peppercorns are dried, resulting in the black pepper used in both culinary and medicinal applications.