Black+Pepper

=Black Pepper = Scientific name: Piper Nigrum

-This Plant is a Spice and a Fruit. This plant is a spice because it is used to flavor food. Black Pepper is also a fruit because its plant bears berries that have seeds in it.

=Interesting facts =

-Black Pepper Plant has been used in cooking for over 2000 years. -Black Pepper is America's number 1 selling spice. -Ancient Romans would demand Black Pepper as a ransom if they besieged a city. -Black Pepper has mostly been eaten by the wealthy in the past because of its expensiveness. -The "heat" comes from a chemical called piperine in the berry and the seed.

 Plant Info
-Grown in Tropical areas between 54 °F and 90°F. -Needs 24-80 inches of rain. -Grown year round due to climate. -Grows natively to Southwest India. -Grows nonnatively to Vietnam, China, Brazil, Florida in the U.S.,Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malasia, and Skri Lanka.

Uses
-Used as medicine for fevers, cold, indigestion, etc.

-Is used in cooking of dishes like Scalloped Potatoes.