Black pepper
Black pepper
Product Overview
Item | Detail |
Product name | Black Pepper |
Botanical name | Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) |
Origin | China — Hainan, Yunnan; Vietnam;Indonesia |
Part used | Dried unripe (immature) whole berries |
Appearance | Brownish-black, wrinkled round berries, ≈3–6 mm, pungent-hot |
Main use | Culinary spice — seasoning, marinades, stewing, BBQ; whole or ground |
Shelf life | 24–36 months (cool, dry, away from sunlight) |
Quality parameters (ISO 959-1 / China national)
Parameter | Requirement |
Moisture (max.) | 12–14% |
Total ash (dry, max.) | 6.0% |
Piperine | ≥ 4.0% |
Volatile oil (powder, dry) | ≥ 0.7 mL/100 g |
Diameter | ≈ 3–6 mm |
IPC grades (International Pepper Community)
Parameter | BP-1 | BP-2 |
Bulk density (g/l, min.) | 550 | 500 |
Moisture (max.) | 12% | 14% |
Light berries (max.) | 2% | 10% |
IPC whole-pepper grades (by piperine/volatile oil)
Grade | Piperine | Volatile oil |
Grade I | ≥ 4.0% | ≥ 2.0 mL/100 g |
Grade II | ≥ 3.5% | ≥ 2.0 mL/100 g |
Grade III | ≥ 3.0% | ≥ 2.0 mL/100 g |
Inspection checklist (how to distinguish quality)
Check | Criterion |
Density (g/l) | Higher bulk density (550–570+) = heavier, better berries |
Colour | Uniform brownish-black; grey/uneven = lower grade |
Light berries | Fewer light/immature berries = better (≤2% premium) |
Purity | Low stones, stems & foreign matter = higher grade (sortex cleaned) |
Dryness & aroma | Moisture ≤ 12–13%; strong pungent aroma = good |
Packing Standards
Packing | Spec | Notes |
PP woven / jute bags | 25 kg / 50 kg | Food-grade, PE liner |
Kraft paper bags | 25 kg | Export standard |
Retail pouches | 100 g–1 kg | Sealed, vacuum optional |
Powder | 25 kg paper bags / retail | 30–80 mesh |
Big bags (FIBC) | 500–1000 kg | Mechanical handling |
Container Loading (Estimated)
Container | Approx. load | Note |
20ft (20GP) | 14–20 MT | High density (550–650 g/l); FAQ 13.5–15, high-grade up to 20 |
40ft (40GP) | 25–27 MT | Estimated |
Storage & transport: sealed, cool & dry, away from sunlight & moisture; ventilated warehouse off floor/off wall; protect from rain; never mix with toxic, odoriferous or contaminated goods.