Pepper

Where is pepper cultivated?

Today the largest producer of pepper is Vietnam, which is one of the locations where Olam has a farm-level sourcing network. Currently, Vietnam accounts for 34% of the world’s pepper crop, with India and Indonesia following closely behind in terms of production scale. In addition, Olam supplies quality bulk pepper products from Brazil, Indonesia and Cambodia with a state-of-the-art processing facility in Vietnam. 

So, what can bulk pepper be used for? Pepper has many simple applications, including:

• Salad dressings and sauces
• Marinade and rubs
• Stews and soups
• Breading mixes
• Meat, fish, poultry, and plant-based dishes

Did you know pepper is the most commonly used spice in the world? Archeological evidence also suggests that pepper, or Piper nirgrum, has been used as a spice since 2000 B.C., with the spice trade reaching from India to Egypt. Later, Ancient Rome was also a part of the pepper trade, with 80% of Roman recipes containing the spice. 

In fact, the spice was so valuable that Arab traders created a fantastical tale about how pepper was grown to keep their trade secure. As the legend goes, pepper was produced in India on trees guarded by poisonous dragons, and the spice must be burned on the tree to kill the serpents, ultimately resulting in black peppercorns. However, after the 14th century, pepper trade had spread to Europe and beyond, with the help of Portuguese, Dutch, and British trade companies.