It originated as a chance seedling in the region and was one of the spices traded with Roman and Arab traders, and later with European navigators.

[1] The area of production of this variety of pepper spans across the Malabar Coast, Western Tamil Nadu and Southern Karnataka.

[2] The application for registration was made by Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

[3] The plant (Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning.

The fruit, known as a peppercorn when dried, is a small drupe five millimetres in diameter, dark red when fully mature, containing a single seed.