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Indian Black Pepper

Malabar and Tellicherry black pepper from Kerala — the "King of Spices". Indian black pepper — Malabar and Tellicherry varieties from Kerala. Grades MG1, TGSEB, Special Bold. Density 550–580 g/L. NABL-tested for Salmonella.

Tellicherry · Malabar GarbledYear-RoundHS 09041110
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Indian Black Pepper
The category

Why Indian black pepper for export

India is the original home of black pepper. Kerala's Western Ghats — particularly Idukki, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts — produce two globally recognised premium grades: Malabar (general high-quality export grade) and Tellicherry (large bold berries, the world's most expensive black pepper category).

Tellicherry grade requires berries to exceed 4.25mm diameter (TGSEB) or 4.75mm (TGEB) — the largest, most mature peppercorns hand-sorted from the harvest. Density of 580+ g/L indicates a fully-developed berry with high piperine and oleoresin content.

ZoeM works with cooperative pepper farmers in Idukki and Wayanad, with FSSAI-licensed processing facilities for cleaning, grading and packing. Every shipment is NABL-tested for Salmonella, moisture (<12%), foreign matter, and ESO (extractable spent oil).

Variety guide

Compare varieties & grades

We supply the variety and grade most appropriate to your target market and end use. Below is a side-by-side comparison.

Premium bold

Tellicherry (TGSEB / TGEB)

Bold berries above 4.25mm. Premium global category — used by gourmet retailers, specialty grinders, and high-end restaurants.

  • Berry size 4.25mm+ (TGSEB), 4.75mm+ (TGEB)
  • Density 580+ g/L
  • Piperine 5.5–7.5%
  • Best for Gourmet retail, premium grinders, specialty
  • Top markets USA, Germany, UK, Japan, Australia
Standard export

Malabar Garbled (MG1)

Sieved, cleaned, sorted standard grade. The workhorse of Indian pepper export.

  • Berry size 3.5–4.25mm typical
  • Density 550–570 g/L
  • Piperine 4.5–5.5%
  • Best for Retail, food processing, mass-market
  • Top markets Gulf, Europe, North America, ASEAN
Origin

Where ZoeM sources from

Primary regions: Kerala (Malabar, Tellicherry). Full sourcing footprint: Kerala (Idukki, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur), Karnataka (Kodagu), Tamil Nadu.

Season: Harvest Dec–Mar; year-round supply from storage.

We work with farmer producer organisations (FPOs), cooperatives and direct grower networks in each region. Pre-shipment grading and quality control happens at FSSAI-licensed packhouses and processing facilities close to the source farms, minimising post-harvest delay.

Specifications

Trade specifications

Standard export specifications. Custom grading available on confirmed orders.

HS Code09041110 (Whole) / 09041120 (Ground)
Botanical NamePiper nigrum L.
Origin StatesKerala (primary), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
GradesTellicherry TGSEB · TGEB · Malabar Garbled MG1 · MG2 · Ungarbled
Berry Size3.0–4.75mm+ depending on grade
Density550–580+ g/L depending on grade
Moisture<12%
Piperine4.5–7.5% depending on grade
SalmonellaAbsent in 25g (NABL tested)
Packaging25kg / 50kg PP or HDPE bags; jute available; retail pouches 50g–500g
Container loadingApprox. 18–20 MT per 40' container (palletised dry)
Shelf life24 months from packing in cool dry storage
Shipping portsCochin, Chennai, Tuticorin
Quality assurance

Certifications & quality control

Every shipment is certified, lab-tested, and traceable to its source. This is non-negotiable for our buyers and forms the spine of our supplier relationships.

APEDAAgricultural & Processed Food Export Authority — Government of India
FSSAIFood Safety & Standards Authority of India license
GAPGood Agricultural Practices — farm-level certification
MSME / UdyamIndian Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
IECImporter-Exporter Code — DGFT
NABL Lab TestingPre-shipment testing at NABL-accredited Indian labs

Pre-shipment lab testing — every shipment ships with a NABL-accredited lab report covering relevant quality and safety parameters for the product type (moisture, residues, microbiological, density, colour, etc.). The report travels with the shipment documentation.

Phytosanitary & fumigation — we arrange Indian Plant Quarantine Department phytosanitary certificates and any required pre-shipment fumigation per the importing country’s regulations.

Traceability — we record source farm, packhouse, processing date and container number for every shipment.

Buyer questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Tellicherry and Malabar pepper?
Tellicherry is a premium grade — berries above 4.25mm diameter, density 580+ g/L, higher piperine. Malabar Garbled (MG1) is the standard export grade with smaller berries. Tellicherry commands 30–60% price premium.
Which grade should I buy?
For premium retail, gourmet, or specialty grinding, choose Tellicherry. For food processing, mass-market retail, or restaurant supply, MG1 Malabar is excellent value.
What is the typical piperine content?
Malabar MG1 tests 4.5–5.5% piperine. Tellicherry tests 5.5–7.5%. Higher piperine = more pungency and aroma.
Do you test for Salmonella?
Yes. Every shipment is tested NABL-accredited for Salmonella (must be absent in 25g sample), moisture, foreign matter, and ESO (essential oil content). Reports travel with shipment.
Can you supply whole and ground pepper?
Both. Most buyers prefer whole peppercorns (longer shelf life, less adulteration risk, buyer grinds at destination). Ground available on request — typically packed in smaller retail-ready units.
Where does your pepper come from?
Primarily Kerala — Idukki, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur districts. Some supply from Karnataka (Kodagu/Coorg) and Tamil Nadu. All from the Western Ghats biodiversity zone.
What payment terms?
Standard 30% T/T advance + 70% against B/L, or 100% LC at sight.