where do peppercorns come from

Peppercorns come from the small dried berries of the vine Piper nigrum, a flowering vine native to the Malabar Coast of southern India. These tiny fruit drupes grow in clusters on the vine, which is a perennial ivy-like climber. Peppercorns can be black, white, green, or red depending on the timing of the harvest and processing. Today, peppercorns are grown in many tropical regions, with the largest producers being Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia. Historically, the Malabar Coast in India was the original and prominent source of black pepper, often called "black gold" due to its high value in ancient trade.