Black pepper, known as the ‘King of Spices’, is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, known as a peppercorn, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. Black pepper has a subtle heat and a bold flavor that makes it a tasty addition to almost any dish. Ground, dried and cooked peppercorns have been used since antiquity, both for flavor and as a traditional medicine. Black pepper is the world's most traded spice, and is one of the most common spices added to cuisines around the world.