Peppercorn is native to the tropical evergreen rain forest of the Malabar region (State of Kerala in South India) from where it spread to rest of the world through Indian and Arab traders. A judicious pinch of pepper is sufficient to make a world of difference to many soups, stews, marinades and other sauces. This rare spice that was synonymous to currency and gold coins (to pay taxes, private debts and ransoms, among other transactions) and offered to gods as a sacred offering is now popularly used all round the year globally.