Whole Black Peppercorns

The finest black peppers in the world at the best value for money

Buy quality black pepper at the best value for money . Le Comptoir de Toamasina is the purchase and sale of the best black peppercorns . Only the largest black peppercorns . 

Arnaud, the creator of Comptoir de Toamasina, travels the world in search of black peppers that will transform your recipes into creative cuisine. 

Le Comptoir de Toamasina like Bartolomeu Dias  sails around the world in  search of the best black peppers . Discover our rare peppers and vanilla pods. 

We only offer you peppers with explosions of flavors for a taste journey into the world of peppers. 

The Comptoir de Toamasina Arnaud selection black pepper collection ranges from the mildest to the most intense to taste the full extent of exceptional black peppercorns for an unforgettable culinary experience with each tasting and creative recipe.

It is here that you will buy  the best black peppercorns at the best price such as black pepper from  Sarawak, Madagascar, Brazil, Kampot, Ceylon and the world. 

Buying black pepper  is very simple, but a pepper  with a story changes everything. At  Comptoir de Toamasina  we have a Comptoir in Brazil to directly import  black pepper from Brazil without intermediaries and small plantations  which cannot export due to the small quantity produced. For our other regions we establish partnerships, go directly on site to meet the producers and work with their partner in France.  

Le Comptoir de Toamasina is not inventing anything, but just wants to share its black peppers with our guests.

Whole Black Peppercorns

Discover the exclusive Comptoir de Toamasina collection of black peppercorns

When the creator of Comptoir de Toamasina goes to Madagascar for the first time , he will discover the wonderful vanilla of Madagascar , he will become the vanilla specialist and currently he is growing wild vanilla in Brazil in his test plantation Arnaud Vanille .

He will have it especially because of his passion for vanilla. First of all on the Lille markets where the history of this family business will develop, Sébastopol market in Lille and Place du Concert in Lille. Then during a second trip to Madagascar and Vietnam, Arnaud will discover the world of black pepper .

And he will develop the most beautiful collections of black pepper that you can buy in France .

All Comptoir de Toamasina black peppercorns are carefully selected for their size and intense aromas. Arnaud offers videos and ranger expeditions across Brazil so that you discover the world of pepper and spices. 

Thus, we are experts in the choice of black peppers in different grains ranging from classic black pepper like Madagascar black pepper and gourmet black peppers like Kampot black pepper. An exceptional and incredible black pepper on the palate.

All of our black peppers will have notes that will make your kitchen sing. 


Don't hesitate to try our refillable pepper mill and in particular our selection of Brazilian pepper, Ceylon black pepper or one of our assortments in our world pepper box.

What is black pepper? How to cultivate it and how to dry it ?

Black pepper is one of the most popular spices in the world. It is found with salt on the majority of kitchen tables around the world. Black pepper comes from the fruits of the perennial Piperaceae plant Piper nigrum (black pepper).

Here, we are not going to remind you of the cultivation of pepper or practicing reforestation with the pepper tree because we have made articles.

We can tell you that black pepper is the second stage of the harvest when the fruit is fully developed , when harvesting black pepper it will have a yellowish or even light green color.

The ears can be threshed mechanically in threshers or manually. The fruits are then left to dry in the sun.

When drying, it is necessary to turn the pepper, with a wooden scraper, so that the drying is uniform.

In addition, the ears and the stem of the bunch which will be mixed with the black pepper must be removed, during or after drying . You should know that you can also use wood or diesel dryers to dry it more quickly. But, here you will lose the pericarp of the black pepper and it will become smooth and not wrinkled .

When we enter the world of pepper or even when we visit a land of pepper, the first pepper we discover is black pepper but why? 

  • When you ask yourself the question, what is the easiest pepper to produce?   It is black pepper which is the easiest to produce , why because you can have two harvests per year and especially when the grain becomes green-yellow you just have to dry it in the sun or in a machine to produce a grain of pepper black. Discover our article drying black pepper . 

So you say to yourself now

  • What is the best-selling spice in the world? Black pepper is the best-selling spice in the world. With a purchase price which can range from 3 euros per kilo for black pepper from Bahia to 70 euros per kilo for black pepper from Kampot, black pepper is the first spice sold in France and the cheapest spice .

 

It is worth remembering that historically, black pepper was widely cultivated in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, where it became a highly coveted spice. It became an important commodity in overland trade between India and Europe and was often used as currency. During the Middle Ages, the Venetians and Genoese became the main distributors of black pepper in Europe, and their near monopoly on this trade also led to the search for an eastern sea route.


Everything you need to know about peppers and false peppers

The world of pepper is going to have many varieties. We are going to explain all the different peppers and fake peppers to you.

You will discover rare peppers but also fake ones. France says that only Piper can have the name pepper, the others can't. An order from 1945

Let's talk about the varieties of plants and vines that you find in your kitchen. 

Let's talk about the Piper vine, the Piper Nigrum, the 4-color pepper vine: 

Depending on the stage of harvest and post-harvest treatment, the Piper nigrum species produces 4 colors of pepper:

  • Green pepper: unripe berries harvested and preserved in brine or by freeze-drying
  • Black pepper: almost ripe berries which are collected, when the berry will have a yellow-green color then dried in the sun for 7 days
  • Red pepper: This berry picked when ripe, then dried in the sun. Pepper is very difficult to produce because the pericarp naturally breaks and is very fragile.
  • White pepper: Berries picked when almost or completely red ripe, then removed from their pericarp by plunging them into a water bath

This species is highly appreciated by gourmets and renowned chefs, especially peppers of exceptional provenance, such as Malabar MG1 from the Malabar Coast, Kampot from Cambodia and black pepper from Madagascar.

Other pepper plants belonging to the Piper genus.  Among the best-known Piperaceae species, we can cite: 

  •  Piper longum: which produces long pepper from Java, Kampot and Timiz. Buying long pepper
  • Piper cubeba: is responsible for the production of cubebe pepper or tail pepper. Buying cubeb pepper
  • Piper borbonense: generates wild Madagascar pepper (Voatsiperifery). Purchase wild pepper from Madagascar
  •  Etc.

Fake peppers cannot be called pepper. You sometimes find Timut pepper , because you should know that in Portuguese it is called pepper do timut because the translation is pepper timut. But in France, it comes from a tree, shrub so it must have the name berry see pepper, for allspice which is the export name of the berry.

Many other aromatic fruit plants resemble pepper, in terms of flavors and also sometimes in terms of the fruit and it is above all the same use. This misunderstanding should not make us forget that these are berries with botanical properties, virtues and distinct tastes. But let's discover the most famous:

  •  Zanthoxylum piperitum: family of plants with a citrus flavor including, among others, Sichuan pepper, timur berries, etc. It's a distant cousin of lemon
  • Schinus terebinthifolius: a species that produces pink berries. This tree also grows in Brazil and in large Brazilian cities in the wild or not, it resists drought, discover our article what is the Cerrado 
  • Vitex agnus-castus: the plant that gives monk's berry
  • Pimenta dioica: species from which Jamaican pepper comes , this tree will resemble cloves and will have the characteristic smell of Madagascar cloves
  • - Xylopia aethiopica: the species that gives Selim berry , it is a berry with a touch of licorice and black pepper
  • Aframomum melegueta: the plant responsible for maniguette

How to use black pepper in cooking ?

Black pepper is the easiest pepper to use . So when you ask yourself the question how to use black pepper in cooking? We advise you to roast the pepper if you want a pepper with a more intense aromatic power , you roast it then you will crush it.

But discover Chef Arnaud’s advice:

  • When the cooking process comes to an end, you can add a finishing touch to a meal by sprinkling with fresh black pepper . Which must be freshly crushed. Black pepper is a versatile seasoning that can be used to enhance the flavor of a wide range of recipes . When you put fresh black pepper on your dish at the end of cooking, you don't give it a "peppery" flavor, but rather a subtle, savory, earthy, slightly spicy touch.
  • Some cuisines make maximum use of the wonderful characteristic flavor of black pepper . For example, amazing steaks can be prepared with black pepper as the main component. The steaks you grill will be infused with all the details that black pepper has to offer, from the earthy flavor that pairs so well with the smoky tastes of barbecue to the tangy, spicy flavor that leaves the tongue with an energizing, bubbling sensation .
  • When cooked with black pepper, venison steaks are extremely flavorful, as the somewhat sweet taste of this meat goes well with the woody, fiery notes of black pepper.
  • Black pepper isn't just for meat eaters . This spice can be used in many ways to create basic but pleasantly refreshing  seasonings . When lemon and black pepper are combined in a mild vinaigrette, a wonderful tanginess results from the combination of tangy and spicy tastes.

Le Comptoir de Toamasina offers you recipes from around the world every week with black peppercorns from our Comptoir des flavors and peppers from around the world. 

How to store black pepper ?

Black peppercorns can absorb surrounding odors and moisture , which is why it is important to store them in a dry, odor-free place.

It must be ground at the last moment because otherwise it will lose its aroma.

Therefore, do not store your pepper in the same place as odorous products such as garlic and especially far from humidity .

Store your peppercorn , away from light, either in the Toamasina Vanille freshness sachets or in our pepper bottles and mills . We recommend when our bottle or sachet of pepper is opened to keep it in a room which will not have strong odors of spices or too high humidity as this impacts their taste.

So be sure to store your black pepper  in a dry place, at room temperature and away from any strong odor . 

Best Tips for Buying Black Pepper

Arnaud, researcher of peppers and vanilla, invites you to discover how to buy the best black peppers.

Our carefully selected black pepper  , on our  online pepper sales site  , you will find  advice, recipes  for  using black peppercorns and its   taste properties.

At  Comptoir de Toamasina  , you will  buy  very high quality  black peppercorns at the best price .

Black pepper is the hottest pepper   and   the most aromatic. 

You will find our   buying guide for quality black pepper in bulk. 

 

Black pepper buying guide

 

Check out our pepper selection guide, which will help you choose the right pepper for your palate and cuisine, but to summarize:

Discover Arnaud's 4 tips for buying a good pepper: 

 

  • First Tip – Buy in bulk and the largest grains: Buy your pepper whole. Indeed, ground pepper quickly loses its taste and health benefits, so if you want quality pepper, you must consume it in whole grains. Additionally, the majority of crushed pepper is made up of aborted berries, wasted pepper, and other "excipients." As a result, they lack taste and are offered at a lower price than peppercorns. However, even peppercorns can become stale if they are too old. To test and evaluate a pepper, crush a peppercorn on a piece of paper: if it leaves a greasy mark, this means that the pepper still has oil which preserves the qualities of the berry, and that it is so excellent. Of course, this only concerns the Piperaceae family and not other berry families.
  • Tip Two – Think carefully about your color choice: The shade of the pepper will give a very different flavor profile for the same fruit. Choose the shade of your peppers based on your preferences, and there's only one way to do it: taste them!
  • Third Tip - Test several families:  Depending on the species you choose, you will be transported to another planet, which is why I advise you to choose peppers from different families and alternate their use; this will allow you to experience very varied taste worlds
  • Fourth Tip - Look for the origin you like: The origin is an essential element to take into account, whatever the shade or type of pepper chosen. The origin of the pepper influences its organoleptic qualities. As with wine or coffee, the terroir has a significant impact on the quality of pepper; see our article on ranking the best peppers in the world to find out more. Pepper also has its great vintages, as we have already noted.

Some tips for using your black pepper after purchasing Comptoir de Toamasina:

  • Store it optimally: in a dry place away from light and any temperature shock then you must put it far from other spices 
  • Grind it at the last moment: Grind it yourself or crush it at the last moment otherwise the pepper will lose its flavor very quickly 
  • Don't overcook it: "real" pepper doesn't like heat, prefer to use it at the end of cooking or on the plate. To roast it, stop roasting when the pepper jumps
  •  Buy pepper for 1 year: To keep the pepper flavor and freshness, buy pepper for 1 year only
  • Chef Arnaud advises that to spice up broths and other liquid dishes, prefer to use whole grains rather than ground ones.

The history of black pepper and the origin of black pepper

Here is a little spice that comes from South-West India. 

But did you know that it was the Portuguese who imported the first peppercorns into Europe.

Le  Comptoir de Toamasina is the specialist in the online sale of very high quality black peppercorns. 

Peppers , such as black pepper and  spices,  have a long shared history. 

  • To know the history of pepper you have to understand the conquest of spices

Spices have a long history that has shaped the world and the discovery of the great maritime routes

It is necessary to go to  Mesopotamia  is  the conquest of cloves in 1700 BC  where the first writings on spices and the beginnings of trade were found.

Egypt continued the discovery  with its pharaohs, via the ports located on the Red Sea, because it had relations with present-day India. This is where the first grains of pepper, cardamom and cinnamon arrive.

The Romans subsequently developed the roads opened by the Egyptians and continued trade.

  • Alexandria's Golden Age

Alexandria is the junction point between the East and the West . It quickly became a major hub for the exchange and trade of spices, including black pepper.

You  should know that spices  had a value at the time comparable to gold . Traders organized and spread the  scarcity of spices .

  • Muslim traders of spices to doges 

In the  Middle Ages , we  find the Ottoman Empire and Muslim traders  who controlled the spice trade between India and the Mediterranean. 

Kozhikode  in India  was considered  the world capital of spices and Comptoir des Poivres .

Zhang He, a great Chinese explorer , wet his ink  many times in the port of Kozhikode in India .

Within the Western world, the wealth of commerce was in the  city of Venice, city of the Doges .

  • For 100 years, Portugal controlled all the world's maritime routes, including the most prestigious India and its Malabar coast.

Lisbon   has become the   richest capital in the world  . And   Portugal's expansion   did not stop there, it conquered Brazil.

The war between the city  of the Doges and the Ottoman Empire  for control of the Mediterranean led to an explosion in prices.

Venice was the largest trading center in Europe and a true maritime power.

The war was to avoid intermediaries and reduce the tastes for acquiring these luxury products.

The Adventure of Portugal - A small country that shaped our current maritime routes

  • The Portuguese set out in search of a direct route to India. This was the objective of   Vasco da Gama   in 1497, when he failed to reach the Indies by the Atlantic. Bartolomeu Dias  was the first to discover the Cape of Good Hope and   Vasco da Gama   passed him to arrive in India.

  • Holland  : a country of navigators, did not appreciate the Portuguese monopoly and sent Mandragora (Dutch ships) to conquer India. The Dutch chased the Portuguese out of part of India and their Indian trading posts. The Dutch will also consolidate their presence in Indonesia and the regions supplying spices such as nutmeg, cloves and black pepper. To organize the new trade, Holland created the Dutch East India Company in 1602 with private capital. It was considered one of the most powerful companies of young capitalism in the 17th century. To install it, Holland founded Jakarta or Batavia. After the golden age of the Dutch, England and France engaged in a war for control of the World and spices. France created the French East India Company and the English the English East India Company. We had to wait until the  19th century and the stabilization of empires to see the price of spices and black pepper fall .

 

Good to know about black pepper and an expression you pay in cash? 

  • The expression "pay in cash " comes to us from the 15th century. At the time, spices were used as a means of payment, especially pepper. Because this spice was so rare that it was worth Gold. You should know that it was the Portuguese who had the pepper monopoly. And its name is Pimenta do Reino. These rare and precious commodities were used as currency in transactions. Spices were therefore a currency.

Which countries produce black pepper ?

Black pepper has a nickname in Brazil: Green Gold.

And Comptoir de Toamasina works directly with pepper producers in Brazil to import you and connect pepper importers and pepper producers.

You can buy peppers directly from the producer to the consumer by purchasing it from 5kg directly from our Counter in Brazil. 

During the last meeting that we had in Brazil on peppers in Bahia in particular we had this list of the best pepper producers here in percentage:

  • Vietnam: 34%
  • India: 19%
  • Brazil: 13%
  • Indonesia produces 9%
  • Malaysia 8%
  • China 7%
  • Sri Lanka 6%

During this meeting we saw that black pepper from Bahia costs 12 reais per kilo, or 2 to 3 euros per kilo when it arrives in France.

Please note, black pepper from Salvador de Bahia in Brazil does not exist. There is no pepper in Bahia as the majority of production is in the south of the state on the cocoa coast and also inland with the border with Espirito Santo.

No harvest of Bahia nori pepper has a vintage.

The answers to your questions

Where is black pepper found?

It is at the Comptoir de Toamasina that you will discover the finest selection of black pepper with peppercorns between 500 and 600g per liter. A high quality pepper for you, an Arnaud Vanille selection!

What are the best black peppers in the world? 

This is a very difficult question after our article on the best pepper in the world, we reveal to you our ranking of the best black peppers in the world, Chef Arnaud's top 3: 

  • Number 3 - Smoked Black Pepper: Here is a pepper that will make you explore new horizons, a smoked pepper with resinous, woody and citrus notes. It is an ideal pepper for meats. A very rare and incredibly tasty black pepper. Buying smoked pepper
  • Number 2 - Madagascar Black Pepper:   If the French had to choose a pepper they would say Madagascar black pepper . It is a pepper that comes from a land of vanilla and pepper with fresh, woody notes and a touch of lemon. A great classic from the world of pepper and incredible notes. Buy black pepper from Madagascar
  • Number 1 - Kampot Black Pepper: Kampot black pepper is a pepper that is unanimously appreciated by the world's great tables. Cultivated in Kampot in Cambodia , it is a pepper which will have an IGP label. For us, it is the best black pepper in the world. It is a shiny intense black color. It's a very pretty pepper, you don't find pepper of this quality anywhere in the world. If you have never tasted Kampot pepper you will be amazed by a rare black pepper with great quality and above all notes of mint, citrus and an incredible and magical spiciness.

Why buy black pepper and fresh black pepper at Comptoir de Toamasina

Why buy black pepper and fresh black pepper at Comptoir de Toamasina

By purchasing your black pepper at Comptoir de Toamasina you will benefit from all the expertise of pepper researcher Arnaud, look at this photo from 2010, Arnaud in a pick-up in Madagascar.

Now Comptoir de Toamasina has its own pick-up in Brazil to source the most beautiful plantations in Brazil for our wholesale activity. 

Each of our  peppercorns  is an  origin , a  real aromatic power and of great quality. 

You will make Mmmh, these black peppercorns whose intoxicating scent will captivate you in all of your recipes and you will succumb to the pleasure of pepper in its raw state.

Arnaud, who is also a master coffee roaster in Brazil and an expert in pepper roasting, will reveal secrets about our peppers. 

We will offer you inimitable blends with delicate and balanced aromas to discover a new world in the pepper experience. 

A passion that Arnaud reveals to you in videos on his YouTube channel.

Buy and Sell Fresh Black Pepper Best price per kilo

Our very competitive offer of black pepper per kilo with a price of peppercorns at the best quality price on the market.

We offer peppers by the kilo for you pepper lovers and also for restaurateurs

  • How much does a kilo of black pepper cost?   Black pepper from Madagascar we offer at 29 euros for 1kg. But the price maybe 15 euros for 50kg for example.
  • Which pepper is better, white or black? This is a big question, the most fragrant pepper is black pepper because you have the pericarp and the grain which will give incredible notes. White pepper is a more subtle pepper with civet and animal notes that will thrill your taste buds.

Le Comptoir de Toamasina has a pepper purchase category by the kilo , where you will discover the best pepper offers in the world by the kilo.

Where to Find Fresh Black Pepper in Bulk ?

You will be able to find fresh black pepper in bulk in grains which will come from all over the world but from intertropical zones. 

From India, Ceylon to Madagascar via Brazil. We favor this area for the search for the best peppercorns .

You should know that the climate, soil, temperature and climate of its zones hold no secrets for Arnaud. Because you should know that this is where the story of the peppercorn begins and where its aromas will be formed. 

You should know that since 2020, Le Comptoir de Toamasina has been working in a mythical land of Arabica , black pepper from the Cerrado . Arnaud will meet producers in Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo during harvest periods to discuss the quality of the pepper. 

And the quality of black pepper will depend on the drying of the grain as we have explained . Because you have to preserve its pericarp to keep the spiciness.

Then sorting is very important to have a gram of 500 to 600 per lite.

  • The Alfredo pepper producer in Minas Gerais explains to Arnaud that to make quality black pepper you have to start harvesting when the grain will reach a sufficient quantity of green-yellow grain . The more yellow-green the cherries are, the better the black pepper will be. Then drying must be done in the sun like coffee beans and never by machine.

Did you know that Comptoir de Toamasina has been the specialist in the sale of vanilla pods since 2010. 

What is the flavor of black pepper and why does each black pepper taste different ?

Black pepper we can say that they all have the same notes, it is the spiciness that the pericarp contains . The heart of the black pepper will be different . The taste of black pepper has a distinctive earthy quality that is woody, spicy, and sour . Black pepper has a distinct, pungent flavor that is both biting and spicy.

Contrary to popular belief, black pepper is not used to replace salt in cooking. Almost all foods (even baked goods like cookies and pies) require at least a pinch of salt to improve their taste. On the other hand, black pepper is a spice and not a flavor enhancer. Whether you're a casual cook or an aspiring chef, you need to know this little-known distinction.

You should know that the soil will have a great importance in the flavor and characteristics of the pepper.

Black pepper with exceptional tastes and colors

From growing to tasting and using it, pepper is incredible. 

Discover in the Comptoir de Toamasina videos the know-how and passion of Arnaud, pepper researcher and pepper roaster, who explains to you how to buy a pepper and roast the pepper to have an exceptional aromatic signature each time it is used in the kitchen.

Each color of pepper will have notes that will be different and on the same vine. 

For each pepper, Arnaud will have in his secret notebook all the secrets to discover the aromatic power of the pepper before purchasing the quantity. 

The methods are a well-kept secret and jealously guarded by Arnaud.  

But the selection of the best organoleptic profile of black pepper and its post-culture quality hold no secrets for him. 

You will need to have a great knowledge of aromas, acidity and color to discover the soul of black pepper.

Why choose black peppercorns from Comptoir de Toamasina ?

To select its black peppers from around the world, Le Comptoir de Toamasina et Arnaud will select only the highest quality black peppercorns . We select a minimum density of 600 to 500g per liter. 

When you use black peppercorns from the Arnaud Vanille selection , you benefit from all the freshness of their aromas thanks to our pepper mill and bottle. Indeed, Arnaud, a black pepper researcher, will favor grains with the most beautiful color and an intense bite .

Did you know that the aromas of coffee beans depend on the drying process, the soil and whether you are going to roast them . 

You should know that when you roast black pepper under the effect of heat, it will develop intense aromas .

Each roast is different and determines the aromatic profile and intensity of pepper for your recipe. Watch Arnaud's video which explains the difference between black peppers and Kampot black pepper, undoubtedly the best peppercorns in the world.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to discover our story and our adventures.  

Buy black peppercorns from Comptoir de Toamasina online

Order your black peppercorns from Comptoir de Toamasina online to benefit from all the advantages of the official Toamasina Poivre store . Once ordered online, your black pepper will be delivered to your home by post within 48 hours. Discover the different flavors of peppercorns from Comptoir de Toamasina and the Arnaud Vanille selection .

You don't want a good black pepper for your cooking or a pepper of another color? So take a look at our boxes, white pepper , red pepper , pepper and discover our acerola.

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