Black pepper is the dried, unripe fruit (peppercorn) of the flowering vine Piper nigrum, cultivated for its pungent, spicy flavor and aroma. Known as the "king of spices," this round, hard fruit is used whole, cracked, or ground as a popular global seasoning. Its distinct flavor comes from the alkaloid piperine, and it offers a warm, biting heat with citrus, fruit, and earthy undertones, along with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.