The wild pepper plant is a climbing vine that grows up the sides of trees and can reach a height of up to 10 meters. The pepper plant was only native to India in this original form, particularly on the southwest Indian Malabar Coast. There, where pepper traditionally grows up ropes and wooden poles is the origin of pepper cultivation. Long before Anno Domini, probably 2000 BC, pepper was known in India, cultivated and used as a spice. Ín the fourth century before Christ, Alexander the Great's soldiers got to know pepper on their expeditions and brought it back with them to Europe, where it quickly became popular and highly coveted.
Pepper continued to be the most important spice even in the Middle Ages, but only the very wealthy could afford it since the merchants sold it at a 600% markup. The german term "Pfeffersack", literally "pepper sack", which is translated to "money bags", was coined during this time to signify merchants whose wealth was made due to unfair pricing.
Pepper was not only an expensive commodity, it was also quite rare. Due to the growing interest to control the pepper trade, Columbus one day set out in search of a new sea route to India in order to crush the pepper monopoly in Venice - and instead he discovered America.
But why is the exotic spice so highly coveted?
Primarily, the special characteristic of pepper - to conserve foods longer - was highly valued at this time. With its conserving and germicidal properties, it offered a significant advantage in the days before refrigeration. Today it is respected more for its versatility as a spice and its aromatic, hot taste that lends itself to both savory and sweet dishes.
