Black Peppercorn, Whole

Where to even begin with this fierce, herbaceous staple? These small, spiky beads are the origin of black pepper—when freshly ground, they release a rich bite that can either be the star of a cacio e pepe or a supporting character in everything from roast chicken to fresh salads. Fruitiness is a hallmark of the best ones, which makes sense, considering they’re actually a dried berry traditionally grown in hot locations, such as Southern India and Sri Lanka.