So what is the difference between Tellicherry peppercorns and black peppercorns? There is quite a lot of misinformation out there on the subject. The information below should help to answer some of your questions.
Myth: Tellicherry peppercorns come from the city of Tellicherry, India.
Fact: The Tellicherry black peppercorn doesn’t refer to the place of origin but rather the size. Tellicherry peppercorns are larger than regular black peppercorns. Piper nigrum, the peppercorn plant, is grown in tropical climates around the world.
Myth: Tellicherry and Whole Black Pepper come from different plants.
Fact: They both come from the same vine. The pepper fruit is picked from the vine and allowed to shrivel and dry. Then the peppercorns are sorted by size. The smaller peppercorns are considered whole black pepper while the larger peppercorns become the Tellicherry.
Myth: Size is the only difference between these two peppercorns but they taste the same,
Fact: When comparing to black peppercorns, Tellicherry peppercorns are more pungent and provide an increased complex flavor with added citrus notes.
When to use Tellicherry Peppercorns
We recommend Tellicherry when you are looking for a more intense flavor. Use it to enhance your soups, stews, and meat dishes. They are also great for use on steaks and in steak blends where the enhanced flavor will stand out.
Many consider Telicherry peppercorns to be the finest of all peppercorn options.
