Key facts
| Hindi name | Kali mirch |
|---|---|
| Also called | Milagu (Tamil) |
| Flavour | Sharp, hot and aromatic. |
| Heat | Medium |
| Sold as | Whole peppercorns, ground |
| Stays fresh | Whole: 3 years, ground: 3 months · check your jars |
| Best substitute | White pepper or a little chilli powder. |
| Used in | 15 of our blends and 7 of our dishes |
How to use it
Key to rasam, pepper chicken, Chettinad dishes and garam masala. Before chillies reached India, pepper was the main source of heat.
- Grind fresh for the best flavour.
- Crush whole peppercorns roughly for pepper fry dishes.
Substitute
White pepper or a little chilli powder.
Storage
Whole peppercorns keep for years; ground pepper fades in months.
Pepper is native to the Malabar Coast of Kerala and was traded to Rome over two thousand years ago.
Pairs well with
Dishes that use black pepper
Blends with black pepper
Garam masala (Punjabi style)
North India
The best-known Indian spice mix: warm, aromatic and only mildly hot. Every household has its own version; thi…
Tandoori masala
North India
A brick-red blend made for marinades; the colour comes from Kashmiri chilli rather than heat.
Sambar powder
South India
The roasted spice blend that gives sambar its depth: coriander-heavy, with lentils for body.
Biryani masala
Hyderabad and Lucknow
A fragrant blend with more floral spices than garam masala: mace, nutmeg, star anise and rose.
Chettinad masala
Tamil Nadu
A peppery, aromatic blend from the Chettinad region, with stone flower and kapok buds.
Curry powder (British-Indian style)
Britain
Curry powder is a British invention: Indian cooks rarely use one blend for everything, but it is handy and wi…
Frequently asked questions
What is black pepper called in Hindi?
Kali mirch. Also known as Milagu (Tamil).
What can I use instead of black pepper?
White pepper or a little chilli powder.
How long does black pepper keep?
Whole peppercorns keep for years; ground pepper fades in months.
Tips from travellers
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Questions from readers
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